^ 

<^?^^«>. 


1^ 


^-^^v./ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


■JO  ^^   mH 


I.I 


lU 

lU 

u 


■4.0 


12.0 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


1 

P  i^  m 

^ 

6"     

► 

23  WEST  MAIN  STRUT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14SS0 

(716)872-4503 


.i^. 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Taehnical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notas  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha  Instituta  haa  anamptad  to  obtain  tlia  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  changa 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


□    Colourad  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


n~1   Covars  damagad/ 


D 


D 


D 
0 


D 


H 


Couvartura  andommagAa 


Covars  r^storad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurte  at/ou  palliculAa 


r~1   Covar  titia  miaaing/ 


La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 


pn   Colourad  maps/ 


Cartas  giographiquas  an  coulaur 

Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


I — I   Colourad  plataa  and/or  illuatrationa/ 


Planchaa  at/ou  illuatrationa  wn  coulaur 

Bound  with  othar  matarial/ 
Rali*  avac  d'autraa  documants 

Tight  binding  may  causa  shadows  or  distortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

La  r9  liura  sarria  paut  causar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
distorsion  la  long  da  la  marga  intiriaura 

Blank  laavas  addad  during  rastoration  may 
appaar  within  tha  taxt.  Whanavar  possibla.  thasa 
hava  baan  omittad  from  filming/ 
II  sa  paut  qua  cartainas  pagaa  blanchas  ajoutias 
lors  d'una  rastauration  apparaissant  dana  la  taxta, 
maia.  lorsqua  cala  Atait  possibla.  cas  pagaa  n'ont 
paa  «t«  filmAas. 


L'Institut  a  microfilmi  la  maillaur  axamplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  *ti  poasibia  da  sa  procurar.  Las  details 
da  cat  axamplaira  qui  sont  paut-Atra  uniquas  du 
point  da  vua  bibliographiqua.  qui  pauvent  modifier 
una  imaga  raproduita.  ou  qui  pauvant  axiger  una 
modification  dana  la  mAthoda  normala  da  filmaga 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dassous. 


|~n   Colourad  pagaa/ 


0 


Pagaa  da  coulaur 

Pagaa  damagad/ 
Pagaa  andommagAas 

Pagaa  rastorad  and/oi 

Pagaa  rastaurias  at/ou  palliculAas 

Pagaa  discolourad,  stainad  or  foxa« 
Pagas  dAcolorAas.  tachatias  ou  piquies 

Pagaa  datachad/ 
Pagas  dAtach^as 

Showthrough/ 
Transparanca 

Quality  of  prin 

Qualiti  ;n*gala  da  I'imprassion 

Includes  supplamantary  matarii 
Comprand  du  material  supplAmantaira 

Only  edition  available/ 
Saule  Mition  disponible 


[~n  Pagaa  damaged/ 

r~l  Pagaa  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

ryi  Pagaa  discoloured,  stainad  or  foxed/ 

I     I  Pagas  detached/ 

rri  Showthrough/ 

rn  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

|~n  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

pn  Only  edition  available/ 


T 
si 
Ti 
w 

M 
dl 
an 
ba 

rifl 

ra( 
m( 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  hava  been  refiimed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pagas  totalament  ou  partiailement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  una  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  ^xt  filmies  A  nouveau  da  fapon  A 
obtanir  la  mailleure  imaga  possibla. 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentairas  supplAmentairas; 


Wrinkled  pagtt  may  film  slightly  out  of  focus. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  da  reduction  indiquA  ci-daasous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


V 

12X 


16X 


aox 


a4x 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  het  been  reproduced  thanke 
to  the  generoeity  of: 

Daiw  Portar  Arts  Library 
UnivartityofWatarioo 


L'exemplaire  film*  fut  reproduit  grAce  i  la 
gAniroaitA  de: 

Dana  Portar  Arti  Library 
Univanity  of  Watarioo 


The  imagee  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
poaaible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  origlnei  copy  and  In  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Las  images  suivantes  ont  it*  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
da  la  nettet*  de  rexempiaire  film*,  et  en 
conformit*  avec  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sent  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustratlon.  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sent  fllmfo  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustratlon  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^>  (meaning  "COIM- 
TINUED"),  or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  sulvants  apparattra  sur  la 
derniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  ie 
ces:  le  symbols  — ^  slgnifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symboie  ▼  slgnifie  "FIN". 


IMaps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  mey  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tabieeux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  rAduction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  ie  document  est  trop  grend  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  11  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bes,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  sulvants 
lliustrent  la  mAthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

*f 


//  -> 


n 


ji 


LIFE  ON  THE  OCEAxN'; 


o«. 


TWEXTY  YEARS  AT -SEA: 


THK    F 


BKINO 


vV      Al>V£?^rURES    OF    THE    AUTHOR, 


«y 


VI.  E    LITTLE, 


•(, 


.:^!f.: 


■Sfcs  ■'■ 


4; 


UiaUk   s..;^    i„e  ^jMrtM.u  U-iifjfJf-    j». 84. 


BOSTON- 

»TE,    PEIHOF>.    AND    COMPA?*r. 


\  r,.i 


p.  'r'v 

University  of  Waterloo 


ife 


'I 


Li 


u 


(2ax^ 


«f 


LIFE  ON  THE  OCEAN 


OR, 


TWENTY  YEARS  AT  SEA 


BKINO 


THE  PERSONAL  ADVENTURES   OP   THE   AUTHOR. 


*>.''.V 


BT 


't 


H 


GEORGE   LITTLE,         *  ^ 

For  many  yean  Captain  in  the  Merdumt  Service  out<^th»  Port  tf  /^ 
Baltimore,  but  now  entirely  blind. 


H 
0 


TiURD  BDimnr. 


iTA'/ 


Battle  with  the  Spuish  Lugfer.   p.  84. 

BOSTON- 


WAITE,    PEIRCE,    AND    COMPANY. 


Property  WfliG  Library 
University  of  V\/aterioo 


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» - 1 


f^i.  --.y  .    k.L  X  X  tJL 


/I 


f  ■». 


'' yx'v\:  ii  ;,wir:N> 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Conpew,  in  the  year  1843, 

By  GlOROE  LiTTLB, 

in  the  Cleric'a  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Maryland. 


'TK.' 

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a  vi  t. 

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PREFACE. 


;!^^.iM 


Thb  author  of  the  following  narrative  has  been  in- 
duced to  submit  it  to  the  public,  at  the  instance  and 
solicitation  of  numerous  friends,  who,  with  a  full  knowl- 
edge of  his  past  life,  and  of  his  present  condition  and 
circumstances,  have  united  in  the  opinion,  that,  what- 
ever of  advantage  or  disadvantage  might  accrue  to  the 
author,  its  publication  would  be  of  essential  service  in 
removing  many  erroneous  and  unfavorable  impressions, 
which  prevail  in  relation  to  the  character  and  habits  of 
seamen. 

The  author  is  a  sailor,  the  prime  of  whose  life  has  been 
spent  amid  the  strife  of  the  elements,  and  not  amid  the 
endearments  of  the  domestic  circle.  His  past  associa- 
tions are  of  a  character  widely  different  from  those 
which  distinguish  the  literary  taste  and  refinemeii^t^  of 
the  fashionable  saloons  of  the  present  day ;  and  \.v  txen 
he  states  that  he  is  now,  and  has  been  for  years  past, 
entirely  blind — thus  disabled  from  pursuing  his  profes- 
sion—  that,  in  consequence  of  this  affliction,  and  even 
with  the  aid  of  an  amanuensisj  niany  difficulties  must 
obviously  have  interposed  in  the  prosecution  and  com- 
pletion of  the  manuscript,  he  appeals  wi;h  confidence 
to  the  discernment  of  the  public,  and  feels  assured  that 
any  faults  in  elegance  of  composition,  or  otherwise, 
which  his  peculiar  situation  may  have  rendered  un- 
avoidable, will  be  overlooked. 

Tht  « twenty  years  at  sea,"  the  narrative  of  which, 
so  far  as  it  is  connected  with  his  own  life,  he  now  lays 
before  the  reader,  will  ever  be  a  memorable  epoch  fn 
the  world's  history.    Europe  was  subjected  to  successive 


PREFACC. 


and  continued  revolutions.  The  nations  of  that  con- 
tinent were  engaged  in  a  deadly  struggle  for  political 
existence ;  and  while  the  two  rival  powers,  France  and 
England,  were  each  putting  forth  its  mightiest  efforts 
to  secure  the  controlling  influence,  our  own  infant 
republic,  acting  under  the  wise  policy  originally  sanc- 
tioned and  pursued  by  Washington,  was  reaping  a  rich 
and  abundant  harvest  in  supplying  the  necessities  of 
the  belligerents,  —  thus  developing  her  boundless  re- 
sources, adding  to  her  physical  strength,  and  laying  the 
foundation  of  that  naval  prowess  which  shone  so  con- 
spicuously in  her  subsequent  conflict  with  Great  Britain. 

In  many  of  the  exciting  incidents  growing  out  of 
these  events,  the  author  was  an  actor ;  and  a  participator, 
too,  in  the  exposures  and  sufferings  which  war  inevitably 
occasions.  He,  therefore,  flatters  himself  that  the  in- 
terest which  may  be  awakened  in  the  perusal  of  his 
book,  and  the  full  and  correct  view  given  of  nautical 
life,  will  more  than  overbalance  whatever  errors  in 
composition  he  may  have  inadvertently  committed. 

The  reader  will  perceive  that,  in  the  narrative  itself, 
as  wall  as  in  the  dialogues  introduced,  the  author  has 
preserved  the  maritime  technicalities,  and  rough  mode 
of  expression,  peculiar  to  sailors ;  his  chief  object,  in  fact, 
has  been  to  exhibit  a  true  picture  of  <'  life  on  the  ocean," 
blending  with  it  those  wholesome  moral  and  religious 
truths,  which  should  be  inculcated  upon  the  minds  of 
seamen.  That  it  may  more  forcibly  serve  as  a  mirror 
for  his  brother  tars,  wherein  they  may  view  their  defects 
as  well  as  their  excellences  ;  that  a  fresh  impulse  may 
be  given  to  the  efforts  of  the  Christian  community  in 
behalf  of  the  spiritual  wants  of  those  who  *'  go  down  to 
the  sea  in  ships ; "  and  that  it  may  prove  a  source  of 
recreation  and  (he  humbly  trusts)  of  instruction  to  all 
who  may  honor  him  by  classing  themselves  among 
his  readers,  is  the  sincere  desire  of  the  author. 


Prefa 

Explan 


fiiith 


a: 


Going  Q 
cers- 
way- 


Continus 
sea  — 


Moonrisc 
Excun 


CONTENTS 


jean," 


Prefack, 3 

Explanation  of  sea  phrases, 9 

CHAPTER  1. 
Birth  and  parentage  —  Early  desire  for  the  life  of  a  sailor, .    .    31 

CHAPTER  II. 
Going  on  board  —  Description  of  ship,  and  character  of  the  offi- 
cers— Observations  upon  the  green  hands  —  Getting  under. 
yray — First  night  at  sea — Gale,  dz^c 29 

CHAPTER  HL 
Continuance  of  the  gale  —  Superstition  of  sailors  —  Sunrise  at 
sea — Crossing  the  line,  &c 37 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Moonrise  at    sea— Heavy  squalls  —  Rounding  Cape    Hot^ — 
Excursion  in  search  of  water,  &c •    <li 

CHAPTER  V. 
Object  of  the  voyage  explained  to  the  crew — Conunencement  ot 
traffic  on  the  coast  of  Chili  —  Bay  of  Coquimbo,  &c.   ...    91 

CHAPTER  VL 
Traffic  on  the  coast  continued — Treachery  of  the  Spu^arda— 
Sail  for  the  Gallipagos  Islands  —  Description  of  them,     •    .08 


■l   i 


6  Contends. 

CHAPTER  VIL 
Infbnnation  of  the  capture  or  a   Boston  ship  by  a  Spanish 
cruiaer  —  an  attempted  capture  of  our  boats  defcntcd  —  Port  of 
Isley  —  News  of  a  Spanisli  cruiser — Description  of  a  hurri- 
cane—  Severe  engagement, 76 

CHAPTER  Vni. 
Mail  tor  Cocus  Island-   Conversation  with  Jack  Sawyer — De- 
scription of  Chatham  Island  —  Melancholy  death  and  funeral  of 
one  of  the  seamen, 87 

CHAPTER  IX. 

£xciting  chase  and  escape  —  Superstition  of  seamen  —  Fall  of 
the  author  from  the  foretop,  and  loss  of  a  man  overboard  —  Sail 
fbi  Shelvack's  Island, 99 

CHAPTER  X. 
Sail  for  the  Gulf  of  California  —  Friendly  reception  and  agree* 
able  intercourse  with  the  Spaniards  at  Guimas, 109 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Jack  Sawyer's  narrative  commenced — Arrival  at  the  Sandwich 
Idands ->^  Description  of  Owyhee,  &c 128 

CHAPTER  Xn. 
Jack  Sawyer  resumes  his  narrative — Passage  to  Canton,    .    .  139 

CHAPTER  Xra. 

Bail  fiom  Canton  homeward  bound — Passage  through  the 
China  Sea,  &c 151 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
English  East  India  fleet — The  chase — Jack  Sawyer's  narrative 
lesnmed,  ....    * 157 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Bttaaiay  nig^  at  sea — Conclusion  of  Jack  Sawyer^  fianative, 
&G. 170 

CHAPTER  XVL 
Umtiaf  with  fiiends  at  home^Last  interview  with  Jack 
Oftwyer-^Sul  in  the  ship  Baltic  for  Rio  Jaaeira^    ....  188 


aniflh 
ort  of 
liurri- 
.    .    76 


-De- 
jral  of 
,    .    .    87 


^all  of 
-SaU 
.    .    .    99 


agree* 
.    .    .  IW 


adwich 
.    .    .  128 


.    .  139 


rh 

• 

th0 

•        • 

151 

n 

rative 

•    • 

157 

ative, 

•    • 

170 

Jack 

•    « 

lea 

CONTENTB.  f 

CHAPTER  XVn. 
Unfortunate   circumatancet   inducing   a  return  to  the  UiiHad 
State*  —  Arrival — Warliice  preparations — Prospecta  of  re- 
maining on  shore  broken  up  —  Entered  on  board  a  privateer  — 
Sailed  on  a  cruiae, 104 

CHAPTER  XVin. 
Boarding   in  the    night — Capture  —  Taken  prifoner  by  Can- 
nibals—  Horrible  treatment — Release  by  ransom — Sail  for 
Carthagena, 900 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Leave  the  privateer  and  sail  for  the  United  States — Enter  on 
board  a  letter  of  marque  —  Captured  by  the  English — Recap-, 
tured  by  the  Paul  Jones  privateer — Enter  as  prize-master  — 
Her  officers  and  crew, 310 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Capture  of  prizes  —  Chase — Termination  of  cruise,  &c.  .    .    .  991 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Removal  to  Dartmoor  ^Description  of  it — Plan  to  effect  aa 
escape, 931 

CHAPTER  XXIL 
Loss  of  prize  money — Voyage   to  London — Narrow  escape 
from  shipwreck,  &c 945 

CHAPTER  XXIIL 
Passage  from  London  to  Baltimore — Voyage  to  Oporto  and 
St  Ubes  —  Disaster  on  Oporto  bar,  &c 954 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
Return  to  the  United  States  —  Voyage  to  the  West  Indies— 
Supernatural  appearances  on  board, 969 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
Conclusion  of   the   West   India   voyage — Sail  for    London 
Batavia,  &c 973 


S  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 
Anrival  At  Batevia — Return  voyage — SicknesB  of  crew — Put 
in  at  Capo  of  Good  Hooe — Profligacy  of  seamen  on  shore, 
&c .* 988 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 
Mardage — Tabes  command  of  the  ship  William — Voyage  to 
Lisbon — Heavy  gales, 291 

CHAPTER  XXVra. 
Voyage  to  Batavia — Burial  at  sea. 301 

CHAPTER    XXIX. 
India  voyage  concluded — Voyage  to  New  Orleans  and  Liver- 
pool—Conduct  of  Capt  E,  &c .313 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Voyage  to  the  Pacific — Dangerous  lee  shore  -^  And  providential 
escape, 383 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 
Continuation  of  vrjage  —  Arrival  at  Callao  —  Visit  to  Lima, 
&c 331 

CHAPTER  XXXn. 

Religious  impressions  and  happy  results — Sail  for  Havana 
acd  southern  ports  —  Rencontre  with  pirates  on  board — Their 
capture  and  delivery  to  the  authorities  of  New  Orleans,   .    .    .343 

CHAPTER  XXXm. 
Piratical  chase  and  narrow  escape — Religious  scene  at  sea,  &c.  354 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 
Reflections  on  the  character  and  condition  of  seamen,     .    .    .  369 

•  CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Bnggestions  in  regard  to  the  moral  improvement  of  seamei^    .    .  385 

CHAPTER  XXXVL 
Condoiioa 393 


'i 


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v^Pk  i^  -  V    ■*  ^\  '  '^"fi 


iver- 

■ 
•    • 

313 

•ntial 

•       • 

333 

ima, 

•       • 

331 

vana 

theii 

1    * 

343 

HOvw* 

354 

^1  • 

.369 

^H  • 

.385 

^H* 

.393 

' '  .t 


NAUTICAL   VOCABULARY. 


Abode  —  Situation  of  the  sails  when  tkeir  -surfaces  are  f<Mrced  aft  by 

the  force  of  the  wind. 
Alm/ly  or  Aft. — The  stemmost  part  of  the  ship. 
Abaft  the  beam. — Denotes  the  relative  situation  of  any  object  frcHn  the 

ship  which  inclines  towards  the  stem. 
Aboard. — The  inside  of  the  ship. 
Aboard  nudnrtacL — To  ha«d  the  comer  of  the  mainsail^  down  to  the 

chest-tree. 
About.  —  The  situation  of  the  ship  when  she  is  tacked,  or  changes  her 

eourse. 
Adrift. — The  state  of  a  ship  broken  from  her  moorings,  a  driving 

at>out  without  contrd. 
Afore.  —  All  that  part  of  the  ship  which  lies  forward,  near  the  stem. 
Ahead.  —  Any  thing  that  is  situated  on  that  part  of  the  compass  to 

which  a  ship's  stem  is  directed. 
A-hvU.  — The  situation  of  a  ship  when  all  her  sails  are  furled  at  sea. 
A'lee.  —  The  situation  of  the  helm  when  put  down  to  the  lee  side. 
All  in  the  toind.  —  The  state  of  a  ship's  sails  when  they  are  parallel  to 

the  direction  of  the  wind,  so  as  to  shiver. 
All  ha'-idSy  a-hoy.  —  A  call  by  which  all  the  ship's  company  are  jsun)- 

mjned  on  deck. 
Ahfl.  —  Up  in  the  tops,  or  on  the  masts  or  yards. 
Alon  r  shore.  —  A  course  parallel  to  the  ship's  side. 
Amidships. — The  middle  of  a  ship  either  with  regard  to  her  length  or 

breadth. 
Afoul  andior.  —  When  the  cable  lias  got  about  the  fluke  of  the  an^ 

chor. 
Amhor  a-peaJc.  —  That  is,  directly  under  the  hawse-hole  of  the  ship. 
Anchor  cock-bill.  —  That  is,  hangs  i^p  and  i\ovrn  \he  ship's  sida. 
An  end.  —  Mast  up  and  down. 

AMem.  —  Any  distance  behind  a  ship,  as  opposed  to  her  head. 
Athioart  ships.  —  Reaching,  or  in   a  direction,  aicrosa  tiie  ship,  Yrom 

one  side  to  the  other. 
Avaai.  —  A  term  used  for  Stop,  or  Stay, 
Away.  —  Is  a  term  used  when  the  anchor  is  off  the  bottom,  as,  The 

apchor  is  away. 
Jhtminf^.  —  A  shelter  or  screen  of  canvass,  to  keep  off  the  heat  of  the 

«un. 


i 

Q 


10 


NAUTICAL    TOCABULART. 


II 


Bade  l/i«  andutr. — To  cany  out  a  flmall  anchor  ahead  of  the  Iai;ge 
one,  in  order  to  support  it  in  bad  ground. 

Bank  the  saUa,  —  To  arrange  them  in  a  situation  which  will  occasion 
the  ship  to  move  astern. 

BanpoUa.  —  When  a  sliip  has  no  sail  set,  she  is  under  bare  poles. 

Batting.  —  A  thin  piece  of  wood  to  prevent  the  riggiog  from  cha- 
fing. 

Bear  a  liand.  —  To  make  haste,  or  despatch. 

faring.  —  Signifies  the  point  of  the  compass  where  two  or  more 
places,  or  ships,  bear  m)m  each  other. 

Btar  off.  —  To  thrust  or  keep  from  the  ship's  side. 

Btar  away. — To  keep  a  ship  off  from  the  wind. 

Beeiimg  to  mndward. — la  making  progress  against  the  wind  by  tack- 
ing alternately. 

Becalmed.  —  To  be  without  wind. 

Btfmrt  the  beam.  —  Any  object  firom  the  ship,  inclining  towards  the 
stem,  is  said' to  be  before  the  beam. 

Belay. — To  make  fast  any  rope. 

BentL — To  apply  to  or  fasten, — that  is,  to  fasten  the  sails  to  the  yard. 

Between  decks.  —  Space  contained  between  the  two  decks. 

BifM  of  a  rope. — JDouble  part  of  a  rope  wlien  it  is  folded. 

Buged.  — To  break ; — the  ship  is  bilged  when  her  plank  are  broken. 

Bmnade.  —  A  kind  of  box  to  contain  the  compass. 

BerA,  —  A  place ;  a  ship's  berth,  a  place  whero  she  is  moorod ;  an 
officer's  berth,  a  place  or  station  in  the  ship. 

Bitts. — A  large  piece  of  timber  to  which  the  cable  is  fastened  when 
the  ship  is  at  an  anchor. 

Board.  —  To  board  a  ship,  in  a  hostile  or  friendly  manner ;  to  make  a 
board,  is  when  a  ship  is  making  a  stretch  on  any  tack  upon  a 
wind. 

Boatawain. — The  officer  who  has  charge  of  the  cordage,  rigging,  an- 
chor, &c. 

Both  sheds  aft. — The  situation  of  a  ship  sailing  right  before  the 
wind. 

BotoHnes. — Lines  made  fast  to  the  sides  of  the  sails,  to  haul  them 
forward  when  upon  a  wind. 

Bowse,  — To  pull  upon  any  tackle  or  ropi*. 

Bowsmit.  —  A  large  mast,  or  piece  of  timber,  which  stands  out  from 
the  bows  of  the  ship. 

Box-havling.  —  A  particular  method  of  veering  a  ship,  when  tlie  swell 
of  the  sea  renders  tacking  impracticable. 

Braces.  —  The  ropes  by  which  the  yards  are  turned  about,  to  accom- 
modate the  sails  to  the  wind. 

Breast  fasL  —  A  rope  employed  to  confine  a  ship  to  a  wharf,  &c. 

To  Broach-to.  —  To  incline  suddenly  to  windward  of  the  ship's  course, 
so  as  to  present  her  side  to  the  wind,  and  endanger  her  over- 
setting. 

Broadside.  —  A  discharge  of  all  the  guns  on  one  side  of  a  ship,  both 
above  and  below. 


Buni 
Bumf. 

Cap.. 
it 
U 

Capstc 

V 
Careen 

bo 
Carry  I 
Caslmg 

Oa-hea 
an( 
Catthet 
and 
Caffs-mn 
duri 
Chains.  - 
ir>ng 
Cheerilyr- 
Claw  off. 
wrec 
Clewlines. 
come 
sails 
Clew  of  ti 
of  th« 
CSewup.- 
clewli 
Clinched.  - 
Close-hatUt 
make 
point  ( 
Coaling.  - 
countr 
CoU.—To\ 
other. 
Coming  to. 
of  the 
Course.  —  ! 
Coxsimin.  - 
Crunk  nhip. 
render 
Curi^a-ship.  ■ 


0?- 


ti; 


^.iITTlCAL   TOCABULARr. 


11 


t  I 


I  large 

scasion 

loles. 
)m  cha- 

yt  more 

bytack- 

ards  the 

the  yard. 

)  broken. 

ored;  an 

led  when 

0  make  a 
upon  a 

ing,  an- 

^fore  the 

IluI  them 

)ut  from 

[lie  swell 

accom* 

ic. 

course, 
jer  over- 
lip,  both 


£y  iht  wind,  —  The  course  of  a  diip  as  near  as  possible  to  the  direc- 

tlon  of  the  wind. 
Aunfimer. — Ropes  fiistened  to  the  foot-rope  of  sqnaresails,  to  draw 

them  up  to  uie  middle  of  the  yards  for  furling. 
Buofjf. — A  conical  cask  attached  to  the  anchor,  to  show  where  it 

lies. 
Cop. — A  strong,  thick  block  of  wood,  having  two  large  holes  through 

it,  the  one  square,  the  other  round,  used  to  confine  the  two  masts 

together. 
Copaton. — Is  an  instrument  used  where  a  great   purchase  is  re- 

quired. 
Careen,  —  To  incline  a  ship  low  down  on  one  side,  to  cleanse  the 

bottom. 
Carr^  away.  —  To  break  a  mast,  yard,  or  rope. 
Castutg,  —  To  incline  the  head  of  a  ship  either  to  the  right  hand  or 

Cat-heads, — The  timber  on  a  ship's  bows,  with  sheaves  to  hoist  the 
anchor  from  the  surface  of  the  water. 

Cat  (hea$whor, — Is  to  hook  the  cat-block  to  the  ring  of  the  anchoTi 
and  haul  it  up  close  to  the  cat-head. 

CaPa-jMw.  —  A  light  air  of  wind  seen  on  the  surface  of  the  water 
auring  a  calm. 

Chairu.  — A  place  built  out  on  the  sides  of  a  ship,  by  which  the  rig- 
ging has  greater  power  to  secure  the  masts. 

C%eer%.— A  i^urase  implying  heartily,  quickly,  cheerfully. 

Claw  off,  —  To  turn  to  windward  from  a  lee  shore,  to  escape  ship- 
wreck. 

Clewlines.  —  Are  ropes  which  come  down  from  the  yards  to  the  lower 
comers  of  the  sails,  and  by  which  the  corners  or  clews  of  the 
sails  are  hauled  up. 

CUwof  the  sails. — Lower  comers  of  the  squaresails,  and  aftermost 
of  the  fore  and  afl  siils. 

CXew  up.  —  To  haul  up  the  clews  of  a  sail  to  its  yard  by  means  of  the 
clewlines,  &c. 

Clinched.  —  Made  fast,  as  the  cable  is  to  the  ring  of  the  anchor. 

Close-hauled,  —  That  trun  of  the  sliip's  sails  when  she  endeavors  to 
make  a  progress  in  the  nearest  direction  possible  towards  that 
point  of  the  compass  from  which  the  wind  blows. 

Coasting. —The  act  of  making  a  progress  along  the  sea-coast  of  any 
country. 

CoU.  — To  lay  a  rope  or  cable  round  in  a  ring,  one  turn  over  an- 
other. 

Coming  to.  —  Denotes  the  approach  of  a  ship's  head  to  tlie  direction 
of  the  wind. 

Course.  —  The  point  of  the  compass  upon  which  the  ahip  sails. 

Cozjvwftr'n.  — The  person  who  steers  the  boat 

Crank  ith'p.  —  Thit  is,  when  she  his  not  sufficient  cargo  or  ballast  to 
render  her  capable  of  bearing  sail. 

Curi'a-'^hip.  —  Is  to  direct  the  mm  at  holm  how  to  ateor. 


t 

e 


5 

0 


12 


NAUTICAL   VOCABULART. 


!!! 


li     ill 


Cut  and  run. — To  cut  the  cable,  and  make  sail  instantly,  without  wut- 

ing  to  weigh  anchor. 
Deaden  a  akip^s  vxy. — To  impede  her  progress  through  the  water. 
Dead  ligUs.  —  A  kmd  of  window-shutter  ror  the  windows  in  the  stem 

of  a  ship,  used  in  bad  weather  only. 
Dismasted. — The  state  of  a  ship  that  has  lost  her  masts. 
Dog-vane.  —  A  small  vane,  made  of  feathers  and  corks,  to  show  the 

direction  of  the  wind. 
Dog-watch. — ^The  watches  from  four  to  six,  and  from  six  to  eight,  in 

the  evening. 
Doubling-  —  The  act  of  sailing  round,  or  passing  beyond,  a  c^>e  or 

point  of  land. 
Dowse.  —  To  lower  suddenly,  or  slacken. 
Doion-havl. — The  rope  by  which  anv  sail  is  hauled  down. 
To  Draw. — When  a  sail  is  inflated  by  the  wind  so  as  to  advance  the 

vessel  on  her  course. 
Drift. — Is  when  a  ship  drives  with  her  side  to  the  wind  and  waves, 

and  is  not  governed  by  the  power  of  the  helm. 
Dunnage.  —  A  quantity  of  loose  wood  laid  at  the  bottom  of  a  ship,  to 

keep  the  goods  from  being  damaged. 
Dunnage. -^^  a  word  used  by  seamen  instead  of  clothing. 
Barings.  —  Small  ropes  used  to  fasten  the  upper  comers  of  sails  to 

the  yards. 
Ease. —  To  slacken  gradually. 
Edge-a-wajf.  —  To  keep  a  ship  off  from  the  point  of  the  compass 

whence  she  had  been  steering. 
Eind-on.  —  When  a  ship  drives  to  a  shore,  rock,  &c.,  without  an  appa- 
rent possibility  of  preventing  her. 
Even  keel.  —  When  a  ship  is  parallel  with  the  horizon,  a  ship  is  said  to 

be  upon  an  even  keel. 
Fair  way.  —  The,  channel  of  a  narrow  bay,  river,  or  haven,  in  which 

ships  usually  advance  in  their  passage  up  and  down. 
Fall  aboard-ff,  —  To  strike,  or  encounter,  another  ship,  when  one  or 

both  are  in  motion. 
Falling  off.  -.-  Denotes  the  motion  of  the  ship's  head  from  the  direc« 

tion  of  the  wind. 
Fatkam.  —  A  measure  of  six  feet 
fSd.  —  A  square  bar  of  wood  or  iron,  with  shoulders  at  one  end,  to 

support  the  weight  of  the  topmast,  when  adjusted  to  its  place  at 

the  head  of  a  lower  mast 
FiU-away.  —  To  brace  the  sails  so  as  to  receive  the  wind  in  them,  and 

advance  tlie  ship  in  her  course,  after  they  have  been  either  shiver- 
ing or  braced  aba<)k. 
F^h-hook.  —  A  large  hook,  by  which  the  anchor  is  received,  and 

brought  to  the  cnt-head. 
Flat-aft.  — The  situition  of  the  sails  wlien  their  suifaces  are  pressed 

aft  against  the  m  ist  by  the  force  of  the  wmd. 
JP/atDi.  —  A  sudflpn  breeze  or  gust  of  wind. 
Flowing  sAeet.  —  lff  when  the  sheets  are  sUckened,  after  afhiphMJ 


r  t: 


fvJ 


NAUTICAL..  VOCABULART. 


13 


been  sailing  upon  a  wind,  or  what  is  usually  tenned  a  fair  wind  or 

flowing  sheet 
Fore-Breach.  —  To  shoot  ahead,  or  go  past  another  vesseL 
Forward.  —  Towards  the  fore  part  of  a  ship. 
Foul.  —  Is  used  in  opposition  both  to  clear  and  fair. 
Founder.  —  To  sink  at  sea  by  filling  with  water. 
JVve.  —  Pumping  is  said  to  free  the  snip  when  it  discharges  mord  wa> 

ter  than  leucs  into  her. 
Freshen.  —  When  a  gale  increases,  it  is  said  to  freshen. 
Fresh  way. — When  a  ship  increases  her  velocity,  she  is  said  to  get 

fresh  way. 
FuU. — To  keep  full,  is  the  situation  of  the  sails  when  they  are  kept 

distended  by  the  wind. 
FurL  —  To  roll  a  sail  close  up  to  the  yard  or  stay  to  which  it  belongs, 

and  to  wmd  a  cord  round  it,  to  keep  it  fast. 
Gain  the  wind.  —  To  arrive  to  the  windxvard  of  a  ship  when  both  are 

sailing  as  near  the  wind  as  possible. 
Gammon  the  bowsmit.  —  iSecure  it  by  turns  of  a  strong  rope  passed 

round  it,  ana  into  the  cutwater,  to  prevent  it  from  having  too 

much  motion. 
Gangway.  —  That  part  of  a  ship's  side,  both  within  and  without,  by 

which  persons  enter  and  depart 
Gasket.  —  The  rop«  which  is  passed  round  the  sail,  to  bind  it  to  the 

yard  when  it  is  furled. 
Girt.  —  The  ship  is  girt  with  her  cables  when  she  is  too  tightly 

moored. 
Goose-wings  of  a  sail.  —  The  clew  or  lower  comers  of  a  ship's  main- 
sail or  foresail,  when  tlie  middle  part  is  tied  or  fmied  up  to  tiie 

yard. 
Grappling  iron.  —  A  species  of  anchor  with  four  or  six  flukes  to  it. 
Gronmet.  —  A  rope  twisted  into  a  circular  form,  used  for  various  pur- 
poses. 
Ground  tackle. -^"Evety  thing  attached  to  anchors  and  cables  of  a 

ship. 
Gunioak. — The  upper  edge  of  a  ship^s  side. 
Gun-room.— A.  place  appointed  for  the  gunner  and  his  stores. 
Gibing.  —  The  act  of  shifting  any  boom-sail  from  one  side  to  the 

other. 
Halliards. — The  ropes  by  which  the  sails  are  hoisted. 
Handing. — The  same  as  furling. 

Hard-a-tpeather.  — Put  the  tiller  quite  up  to  the  windward. 
To  Haul  the  wind. — To  direct  the  ship's  course  nearer  to  the  point 

from  which  the  wind  blows. 
Haw»eholes.--^h»  holes  in  the  bows  of  a  ship,  through  which  the 

cables  pass. 
Hawser. — A  small  kind  of  cable. 
Headfast.  —  A  rope  employed  to  confine  the  head  of  a  ship  to  a  whar^ 

or  to  some  other  vessel. 
Head  sails.  — AM  the  sails  which  belong  to  the  foremaatand  bow* 

sprit 


0 


I 

0 


I-  ' 


■"rr 


14 


NAUTICAL    VOCABULABT. 


[  P 


Headrata. — When  the  waves  meet  at  the  head  of  a  ship  in  her 

course,  they  are  called  a  head-sea. 
Htaot  of  Iht  sea. — Is  the  power  that  the  swell  of  the  sea  has  upon  m 

ship  in  driving  her  out  of,  or  faster  on,  her  course. 
HuL  —  She  heels  to  port, — that  is,  inclines,  or  lies  down,  on  either 

side. 
H<ML  — Is  the  space  between  the  lower  deck  and  the  bottom  of  the 

ship,  where  her  cargo,  &c.,  is  stowed. 
Horse.  —  A  rope  reaching  from  the  middle  of  a  yard  to  its  arms  or  ex- 
tremities, for  the  men  to  stand  on  when  they  are  looking  the 

sails. 
HuU  doton. — Is  when  a  ship  is  so  far  off  that  you  can  only  see 

her  masts. 
To  Heave  in  ttMa.  —  To  bring  a  ship's  head  to  the  wind  by  a  man- 
agement of  the  sails  and  rudder,  in  order  to  get  on  the  other 

tack. 
Jeer-blocks.  —  The  blocks  through  wliich  the  jeers  are  reeved. 
Jeers.  —  The  ropes  by  which  the  lower  yards  are  suspended. 
yi6.  —  The  foremast  sail  of  a  ship,  set  upon  a  boom  which  runs  out 

upon  the  bowsprit 
Jib-boom.  —  The  spar  that  runs  out  upon  the  bowsprit  ^ 
Jvaymast.  —  A  temporary  or  occasional  mast,  erected  in  a  ship  in  the 

place  of  one  which  has  been  carried  away  by  accident 
Kedge.  —  A  small  anchor  with  an  iron  stock. 
'  Ked. — The  principal  piece  of  timber  in  a  ship,  which  is  usually  first 

laid  on  the  blocks  in  building. 
Ked-hmd. — To  drag  a  person  backwards  and  forwards  under  a  ship's 

keel,  for  certain  rTences. 
Keckled.  —  Any  part  ol'  a  cable  covered  with  old  ropes,  to  prevent  its 

surface  fVom  rubbing  against  the  ship's  bow  or  forefoot 
To  Keep  the  luff.  —  To  continue  close  to  the  wind. 
Keelson.  —  A  piece  of  timber  forming  the  interior  of  the  keel,  being 

laid  on  the  floor-timbers  immediately  over  the  keel,  and  serving 

to  unite  the  former  to  the  latter. 
Kentledge.  — Pigs  of  iron  for  ballast,  laid  upon  the  floor,  near  the  keel- 
son, fore  and  aft. 
Knippers.  —  A  large  kind  of  plaited  rope,  which,  being  twisted  around 

the  messenger  and  cable,  in  weighing,  binds  them  together. 
Kumatage.  —  A  bright  appearance  in  the  horizon,  under  the  sun  or 

moon,  arising  ^om  the  reflected  light  of  these  bodies  fiom  the 

small  rippling  waves  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 
Laden  in  bulk.  —  Freighted  with  a  cargo  not  packed. 
Jjand'fall. — The  first  land  discovered  after  a  sea  voyage. 
Lomdrloched. — The  situation  of  a  ship  surrounded  wiu  land,  so  as  to 

exclude  the  prospect  of  the  sea,  unless  over  some  intervening 

land. 
Launch  ho!-^  Signifies  that  the  object  is  high  enough,  and  must  be 

suddenly  lowered. 
Ltading  wind, — A  fair  wind  for  a  ship's  coume. 


f^ee.  —  T 

disti 

Lu-wajf. 

line 

Leeches.- 

ToLieic 

such 

eflbrt 

Lijls.-^l 

of  th 

Log  and 

rate  c 

Loom.  — ' 

Luff.  —  Ti 

side  0 

Make  a  be 

ingto 

Man  the  y 

ladder 

Mnd  the  st 

Messenger. 

Stan,  a 

purcha 

To  Miss  Si 

fly  up 

other  t 

Mixzenmast. 

Moor.  —  To 

Marows.— 

J^eccr!  or,./ 

ship  so 

Mppers. — 

to  thee 

^Tothing  off. 

directm 

Off  and  on. 

board  s 

to  sea. 

r.— T< 

bow, 

ship. 

On  iht  guar 

Oiiop.—Th 

up  with 
Ott^trinu 

for  the  { 
Pmtd  a  tejH 

the  send 


v-y\ 


/^  cf 


NAUTICAL   VOCABULARTi 


tf 


htt.  —  That  part  of  the  hemisphere  to  which  the  wind  is  directed,  to 

distinguish  it  from  the  other  part,  which  is  called  to  windward. 
Lu-way. — The  angle  which  the  line  of  a  ship's  way  makes  with  a 

line  in  the  direction  of  her  keel. 
Leeches.  — ^  The  borders,  or  edges,  of  a  sail. 
To  Im  to.  —  To  retard  a  ship  in  her  course,  by  arran^g  the  sails  in 

such  a  manner  as  to  counteract  each  other  with  neany  an  equal 

effort,  so  as  to  render  her  almost  stationary. 
LiJU.  -^  The  ropes  which  lead  from  th^  end  of  the  yards  to  the  heads 

of  their  respective  masts. 
Log  and  log  line^  —  By  which  the  ship's  path  is  measured,  and  her 

rate  of  going  ascertained. 
Loom.  —  To  appear  larger  than  the  real  dimensions  of  an  object. 
Luff. — The  order  to  the  steersman  to  put  the  helm  towards  the  loe>- 

side  of  the  ship,  in  order  to  sail  nearer  to  the  wind. 
Make  a  boafd.  ->^  Is  to  run  a  certain  distance  upon  one  tack,  in  beat- 
ing to  windward. 
Man  the  yards. — Is  placing  men  on  the  yards,  in  the  tops,  on  the 

ladder,  &c.,  to  execute  any  necessary  duty. 
Mind  the  service.  -—  Put  on  more  service. 

Messenger.  —  A  small  kind  of  cable,  which  being  brought  to  the  cap- 
stan, and  the  cable  by  which  the  ship  rides  made  fast  to  it,  it 

purchases  the  anchor. 
To  Miss  stays.  —  A  ship  ia  said  to  miss  stays  when  her  head  will  not 

fly  up  in  the  direction  of  the  wind,  in  order  to  get  her  on  the 

other  tack. 
Mixzennuut. — The  mast  which  stands  abaft. 
Moor. — To  secure  a  ship  with  two  anchors. 
i^amnos. — A  small  passage  between  two  lands. 
J^ear!  or,  JVbAear/ — An  order  to  the  steersman  not  to  keep  thd 

ship  so  close  to  the  wind. 
Uppers.  —  A  certain  piece  of  cordage  used  to  fasten  the  messenger 

to  the  cable  in  heaving  up  the  anchor. 
^(Mdng  off.  —  A  term  used  oy  the  man  at  the  cun  to  the  steersmoji,, 

directing  him  not  to  so  from  the  wind. 
Off  and  on. — When  a  uiip  is  beating  to  windward,  so  that  by  on6 

boaid  she  approaches  to  the  shore,  and  by  the  other  stands  out 

to  sea. 


Q^nr.  — To  seaward  from  the  land. 
On  we  bow, — 


shipi. 


Before  the  beam,  inclining  toward  the  stem  of  the 


On  (he  quarter, — Abaft  the  beam,  toward  the  stem  of  the  ship. 

Orlop, — The  deck  on  which  the  cables  are  stowed. 

ODeHuad,  —  To  clear  away  and  disentangle  any  rope ;  also,  to  come 

up  with  the  chase. 
Out  o^trinu — The  state  of  a  ship  when  she  is  not  properly  bakaeid 

ror  the  purpose  of  navigation. 
Parod  a  rope.  —  Is  to  put  a  quantity  of  old  canvaM  upon  it  bffora 

^e  eervice  ia  put  oa 


i 

ID 


j  •  > 


V 


m 


16 


NAUTICAL    VOCABULARY. 


t'artinr.  -—  Being  driven  from  the  anehora  by  the  breaking  of  the 

cable. 
PatvL  —  A  Bhort  bar  of  wood  or  iron,  fixed  close  to  the  capstan  or 

windlass  of  a  ship,  to  prevent  those  engines  from  rolling  oack,  or 


To 


givmg  way,  wlien  they  are  charged  with  any  great  effort 


'ay  away.  —  To  slacken  a  cable,  or  other  rope,  so  as  to  lei,  it  nm 

out  for  some  particular  pmpose. 
Peakf  to  ride  a  atay-peak.  —  Is  when  a  cable  and  fore-stay  form  a  line. 
Pennant.  —  A  long,  narrow  flag,  worn  at  the  mast-head  by  ships  of 

the  navy. 
Pitching,-^ The  movement  of  a  ship  by  which  she  plunges  her  head 

and  afler-part,  alternately,  into  the  hollow  of  the  sea. 
Point  blank.  —  The  direction  of  a  gun  when  levelled  horizontally. 
Poop.  —  The  highest  and  aftermost  deck  of  a  ship. 
Pooping.  —  The  shock  of  a  high  and  heavy  sea  upon  the  stem  or 

quarter  of  a  ship,  when  she  scuds  before  the  wind  in  a  temnest 
Port.  —  A  name  given,  on  some  occasions,  to  the  larboard  side  oi  the 

ship. 
Port8. — The  holes,  in  the  ship's  sides,  from  which  the  guns  axe  fired. 
P^M  of  sail.  —  All  the  sail  that  a  ship  can  set  or  carry. 
Preventer.  —  An  additional  rope  employed  to  support  any  other  in  a 

heavy  strain. 
Purtiiase.  —  Any  sort  of  meclianical  power  employed  in  raising  or 

moving  heavy  bodies. 
f^uartera. — The  respective  stations  of  the  ofiicers  and  people  in  time 

of  action. 
Quarter  wind.  —  Is  when  the  wind  blows  from  that  part  of  the  hori- 
zon situated  on  the  quarter  of  the  ship. 
ibike*  —  That  is,  to  cannonade  a  ship  at  the  head  or  stem,  so  that  the 

balls  scour  the  whole  length  of  the  decks. 
Range  of  cable.  —  A  sufficient  length  of  cable  drawn  upon  deck  be- 
fore the  anchor  is  cast  loose. 
Hotlines.  —  Small  ropes,  fastened  from  shroud  to  shroud,  forming  a 

ladder  to  go  aloft 
Ready  about.  —  Implies  that  all  the  hands  are  to  be  attentive,  and  at 

meir  stations  for  tacking. 
Rtef. — Part  of  a  sail,  from  one  row  of  eyelet-holes  to  another. 
Reefing.  —  The  operation  of  reducing  a  sail  by  taking  in  one  or  more 

of  the  reefs. 
Riba  qf  a  skip.  —  A  figurative  expression  for  timbers. 
Ride  at  anchor.  —  Is  when  a  ship  is  held  by  her  anchors,  and  is  not 

driven  by  wind  or  tide. 
Ri^jhting. —  Restoring  a  ship  to  an  upright  position. 
Ri^  me  helm.  —  Is  to  bring  it  into  midships,  after  it  has  been  pushed 

either  to  starboard  or  larboard. 
Rigging  out  a  boom.  —  The  running  out  a  pole,  at  the  end  of  a 

yard,  to  extend  the  foot  of  a  sail. 
Road.  —  A  place  near  the  land  where  ships  may  anchor,  but  which  is 

not  sheltered. 


Mffiinding 

or  mi 


tackl 

RutUer,-- 

Rowlock. - 

rowin 

-ftun.— T. 

the  si 

Run  out  € 

boat, 

may  1 

Sailing  tii 

sailins 

ScuJ.  —  Tt 

Sea-boat,  — 

Sea-room.  - 

rocks, 

Set  saiL  — 

Shape  a  001 

proseci 

Sheer  off.— 

Sheers.  —  A 

getting 

Aheet  home. 

^  yard-ar 

Ship-shape,  • 

Shoot  ahead. 

Shrouds,  —  ] 

and  lefi 

carry  st 

Slip  the  cabl 

to  weig 

Sound.  —  'K 

Sfdice.  —  To 

and  thei 

the  othe 

&^ray.  —  Th^ 

Spring  a  mas 

strain. 
%atf._-A( 
Sputre.  —  Is 

masts. 
Sjuarefheym 
angles  iv 
Starboard. — ' 
^  Stay  ash 
to  oring 
get  her 


m 


'm 


NAtrriOAL   VOCABULARr. 


It 


Rmndiitg  in.  —  The  pulling  upon  any  rope  which  passea  through  one' 

or  more  blocks,  in  a  direction  nearly  horizontal. 
Rnuing,  —  Pulling  up  a  cable,  or  rope,  without  the  assistance  of 

tackles. 
Rudder. — The  machine  by  which  the  ship  is  steered. 
Rotoloek. — The  notch  in  a  boat's  gunwale,  in  which  the  oan  rest  in 

rowing. 
Run.  —The  after-part  of  a  ship^  where  it  gets  extremely  narrow,  near 

the  stem  post. 
Run  out  a  warn. — To  carry  the  end  of  a  rope  out  from  a  ship  in  a 

boat,  and  fasten  it  to  some  distant  object,  so  that  by  it  the  ship 

may  be  moved,  by  pulling  on  it. 
SaUing  trim. — Is  expressed  of  a  ship,  when  in  the  best  state  for 

sailing. 
Scud. — To  ffo  right  before  the  wind.  -**. 

Sea-boat.  —  A  vessel  that  bears  the  sea  firmly. 
Sea-room.  —  A  sufficient  distance  from  the  coast,  or  any  dangerous 

rocks,  &c. 
Set  saiL  —  To  unfurl  and  expand  the  sails  to  the  wind. 
iSKoj^e  a  cowne. — To  direct  or  appoint  the  track  of  a  ship,  in  order  to 

prosecute  a  voyage. 
Sheer  off.  —  That  is,  to  remove  to  a  ^eater  distance. 
Sheers.  —  Are  spars  lashed  together,  and  raised  up,  for  the  purpose  of 

getting  out  or  in  a  mast 
Sheet  home.  —  To  haul  the  comers  of  the  sail  to  tlie  blocks  on  the 

yard-arm  by  means  of  a  rope. 
Ship-shape.  —  In  a  seaman-like  manner. 
Shoot  ahead.  —  To  advance  forward. 
Shrouds.  —  Large  ropes  extending  from  the  mast-heads  to  the  right 

and  left  sides  of  a  ship,  to  support  the  masts  and  enable  them  to 

carry  sail. 
Slip  the  cable.  —  That  is,  let  it  run  quite  out,  when  there  is  not  time 

to  we^h  the  anchor. 
Sound. — To  try  the  depth  of  water. 
S^ice.  —  To  make  two  ends  of  rope  fast  together  by  untwisting  them, 

and  then  entwining  the  strands  of  one  piece  with  the  strands  of 

the  other. 
^ay. — The  sprinkling  of  a  sea. 
Spring  a  masL — Is  to  crack  a  mast,  yard,  &c,  by  means  of  a  heavy 

strain. 
Squall.  —  A  sudden,  violent  blast  of  wind. 
»Sguare.  —  Is  applied  to  yards  that  are  very  long,  as  taunt  is  to  high 

masts. 
Square  the  yards. — To  brace  the  yards  so  that  they  may  hang  at  right 

angles  with  the  hull. 
Starbomd. — The  ri^t-hand  side  of  a  ship  when  looking  forward.  <.^^ 
To  iStoy  a  ship. — To  arrange  the  sails,  and  move  the  ixidder,  so  as 

to  oring  the  ship's  head  in  tlie  direction  of  the  wind,  in  order  to 

get  her  on  the  other  tack. 

8 


18 


HAUTiOAL  rocjaoLAmr* 


lii!  • , 


Jhnk— The  ardm  to  the  hdaHManui  to  Iwep  tiw  ahip  ia  tibt 
■he  is  ffoinff  •!  that  inrtut 


Ann.— A  cMrenliur  piece  of  tmher,  into  which  thetwoeidieofe  A^ 

•le  unitod  at  the  fore-end. 
Am  Ae  lufe.— b  eeiling  agminet  the  tide^  ao  ae  to  uyeieome  ili 


amtmotl, — The  ftrtfieat  aatern. 

ahfteM9>  — The  motion  bj  which  a  riiip  ftUa  back  with  her 

ftfemoat. 

Skifpen, — A  krge  kind  of  rape,  to  eecme  the  cable  abaft  the  bitti. 
ShimM, — When  applied  to  a  Tceeel,  meane  that  ahe  ie  nm  afraimd, 

and  ie  loct 
Strtam  the  hwy. — Tc  throw  the  buoy  into  the  water  pravHMe  to  cael- 

ing  anchor. 
Sbriht  $ounding$.  —  To  touch  the  ground  in  endeaYcriiy  to  find  the 

depth  of  water  in  a  harbor,  or  road. 
Suttpmg.  —  To  drag  the  bight  of  a  rope  on  the  botton^  in  order  to 

obtain  an  anchor  or  any  thiiw  that  may  be  lost 
Tiiig^rtL  —  The  uppermost  part  of  a  ebip^a  etem. 
TompioH, — The  bung,  or  piece  of  wood,  by  which  the  mouth  of  a 

cannon  is  filled,  to  keep  out  wet 
TauL  —  Improperly,  though  very  generally,  used  for  tight 
Tier, —  A  row  of  g^uns,  or  any  tbinff  else. 
ZVtter.  —  A  larve  piece  of  wood,  or  oeam,  inserted  into  the  head  of  a 

rudder,  and  by  means  of  which  the  rudder  is  moved. 
TVoveTK. — To  go  backwards  and  forwards. 
JMee,  trice  up.  —  To  haul  up  and  fasten. 
Trip  the  anchor. — To  loosen  the  andwr  firom  the  ground. 
Jnturk  qfVte  tea. — The  hollow  between  two  waves. 
JVudt.  —  A  round  piece  of  wood  put  on  the  tops  cf  flag-etaffik 
Truaaii. — A  small  sail  used  in  blustering  weather. 
ViSbeniL — To  take  the  sails  off  fiiom  their  yuds  and  stays, 
UtUntt. — To  remove  the  cable  fiom  off  the  bitts. 
Uwkr  waj/. — When  a  ship  is  sailing*,  she  is  said  to  be  under  way. 
Vt^wi. — To  unloose. 
Cmr^. — To  deprive  a  sl^  of  her  rigging. 
Feer,  or  toear^  the  Mp.—'To  change  a  ship's  course  from  one  tack  to 

the  other. 
Veer  oMm, — To  let  a  rope,  or  cable,  run  out 
tfake. — The  path,  or  track,  impressed  on  the  water  by  the  ship  pass- 
ing through  it. 
IFoler-— Are  strong  timbers  that  go  round  a  ship,  a  litde  above  her 

water-line. 
WauL--  That  part  of  a  ship  contained  between  the  quarter  deck  and 

fbrecaatle. 
Wakr-Une. — The  line  made  bv  the  water's  edge  when  a  ship  had  her 

fidl  i»r(^rti<ni  of  stores,  olc,  on  board. 
Wcier^iame.  —  The  state  of  a  slup  when  there  is  hardly  sufficient 

depth  of  water  to  float  her  off  from  the  ground. 


NADTIOAL  TOCABDLABT. 


19 


IFalcr4MMdL— Thu  Mtto  of  n  ship  when  heavj  and  iuetivt  on  Hm 

■M,  rrom  the  great  quantity  or  water  leaked  into  her. 
ITofeM^— The  state  of  a  ahip  when  not  leaky. 
Widhet. — To  weather  any  thing,  ia  to  get  to  windward  of  it 
If ea(ker4eaCm.— Shattered  by  a  Koim. 
Wmd  «  «l^  — To  change  her  poMtion,  bringing  her  head  where  her 

■teni  waa> 
Win£»  tft.  — The  point  ftom  which  the  wind  blowa. 
T»  wmk  a  ak^.  — To  direct  the  movement!  of  a  ahip  by  adapting 

the  sails,  and  managing  the  rudder,  according  to  tne  course  sht 

has  to  make. 
7*0  ttork  to  windumrd. — To  make  a  progress  against  the  directioo 

of  the  wind. 
ffooU. — To  bind  round  with  ropes. 
Yardt,  —  The  span  upon  which  the  sails  are  spread.         ^ 
I'awing.  —  The  motion  of  a  8hq>  when  she  deviates  fion  her  cooiM 

to  right  or  left. 


<  il 


€•1 


.Wl4jya*'wai»  .rj,.pi  r  uw 


«;!J 


L] 


BIRTH   AND 


I  WAS  b( 

Septembei 

to  the  nav 

from  hom( 

rents  to  rel 

mother  pre 

Jon  the  coj 

an  elder  s 

Roxbury,  f 

I  the  schools 

I  repute.     T 

jcongregatio 

I  observance 

jing   of  the 

iThey  adhe 

|of  that  chi 

lobsftrved,  m 

Itheir  religic 

of  their  ho 


ax 


m% 


t 


LIFE  ON  THE  OCEAN. 


CHAPTER   I. 


BIRTH   AND   PARENTAGE  —  EARLY   DESIRE   FOR  THE   LIFE   OF   A 

BAILOR. 

I  WAS  born  in  Roxbury,  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts, 
September  13th,  A.  D.  1791.  My  father  being  attached 
to  the  navy  of  the  United  States,  and  necessarily  absent 
from  home  during  much  of  his  time,  induced  my  pa- 
rents  to  relinquish  the  cares  of  housekeeping ;  and  my 
mother  preferring  to  reside  with  a  brother  who  lived 
on  the  confines  of  Canada,  it  was  concluded  to  place 
an  elder  sister  and  myself  with  a  maternal  uncle  in 
Roxbury,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  an  education  at 
the  schools  in  that  place,  which  were  then  in  the  highest 
repute.  This  family  was  attached  to  the  Presbyterian 
congregation  in  that  town ;  and,  accordingly,  a  strict 
observance  of  the  Sabbath,  as  well  as  a  systematic  read- 
ling  of  the  Scriptures,  was  early  enjoined  upon  us. 
ITliey  adhered  blamelessly  to  all  the  outward  forms 
lof  that  church,  and  the  most  perfect  regularity  was 
lobserved,  not  only  with  ever 7  thing  connected  with 
{their  religious  worship,  but  also  in  the  management 
)f  their  household  affairs.  No  perceptible  difference 
3* 


22 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


was  observed  in  their  treatment  toward  us  and  their 
own  children.  Habits  of  industry  were  inculcated  upon 
all,  and  the  precept,  "  Be  independent  of  all,"  was  often 
repeated,  and  became  so  thoroughly  ingrafted,  as  to  be  a 
kind  of  fixed  principle  in  after  life.  At  the  age  of  nine 
years,  I  was  placed  at  t^e  Roxbury  Grammar  School  to 
receive  an  English  education ;  an  institution,  as  before 
stated,  considered  to  be  at  that  period  among  the  best  in 
the  state.  Here  I  made  considerable  progress  in  the  ele- 
mentary branches,  and  can  even  now  distinctly  recollect 
the  ambitious  aspirations  which  actuated  me,  and  by 
which  I  was  incited  to  diligence  in  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge.  This  disposition  was,  howeirer,  in  a  great 
degree  induced  by  the  wholesome  advice  received 
from  my  relations,  and  by  the  custom"  of  devoting  a 
portion  of  time  every  day  to  manual  labor,  which  was 
greatly  beneficial,  not  only  in  establishing  habits  of 
industry,  but  also  in  laying  the  foundation  of  a  firm  and 
vigorous  constitution.  Two  years  had  now  elapsed, 
and  I  had  rapidly  progressed  in  my  studies,  when  my 
mind  first  became  agitated  with  reflections  on  my  future 
course  in  life,  and  schemes  of  worldly  prosperity  and 
distinction  suggested  themselves  to  my  imagination. 
Often,  when  my  father  visited  me  on  his  return  from 
sea,  would  he  portray  in  glowing  colors  the  scenes 
he  had  witnessed  in  foreign  lands,  and  then  recite  the 
wonders  of  a  seafaring  life ;  but  when  he  perceived  that 
enthusiasm  awakened  which  such  descriptions  are  so 
well  calculated  to  excite  in  a  youthful  bosom,  with 
parental  tact,  and  with  a  master-hand,  he  would  throw 
a  sombre  aspect  over  the  whole  picture,  and,  to  smother 
every  predilection  which  I  might  have  entertained  for 
such  a  calling,  would  then  recount  the  perils  and 
privations  of  an  ocean  life.  But  his  etforts  were  fruit- 
less j  my  partialiry  for  the  sea  "grew  with  my  growth, 
and  strengthened  wnth  my  strength."  My  young  im- 
agination was  often  wound  up  to  the  highest  pitch  of 
excitement  at  the  idea  of  exploring  the  trackless  ocean ; 
and  to  me  the  prospect  of  treading  the  quarter  deck,  as 


the  ni. 

acme  c 

tunitiei 

versing 

fellows 

enthusi 

was  rej 

my  fat! 

wishes. 

stance 

nation 

Ther 

capacity 

relative 

highest 

old  man, 

narratioi 

of  his  v< 

many  th 

of  a  sail 

novelty, 

ony  of  i 

would  a 

as  a  deat 

by  mv  re 

"I  would 

condition 

influence 

dividual  \ 

and  priva 

when  we 

accompani 

marvel  th 

imaginatic 

highest  et 

The  sto 

panions  h] 

nightly  dr 

the  magica 


;i: 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


[  their 
I  upon 
I  often 
to  be  a 
if  nine 
lool  to    ^ 
before 
best  in 
he  ele- 
3Collect 
and  by 
tion  of 
a  great 
•eceived 
oting  a 
ich  was 
Bibits  of 
arm  and 
elapsed, 
|hen  my 
ly  future 
•ity  and 
^ination. 
[rn  from 
scenes 
Icite  the 
red  that 
are  so 
,,  with 
throw 
Ismolher 
^ned  for 
tils  and 
be  fruit- 
Igrowth, 
Img  im- 
Vtch  of 
ocean ; 
leek,  as 


the  ruling  spirit  of  some  stately  craft,  seemed  the  very 
acme  of  all  earthly  felicity  and  ambition.  The  oppor- 
tunities which  I  enjoyed  of  hoarding  vessels,  and  con- 
versing with  seamen,  whom  I  regarded  as  the  finest 
fellows  in  the  world,  by  no  means  tended  to  abate  my 
enthusiasm ;  notwithstanding  every  species  of  dissuasion 
was  resorted  to,  in  consequence  of  the  repugnance  of 
my  father  to  the  encouragement  and  gratification  of  my 
wishes.  And  here  I  cannot  forbear  relating  a  circum- 
stance which,  in  a  great  measure,  settled  the  determi- 
nation I  had  formed  of  a  sea  life  as  a  vocation. 

There  was  living  at  this  time  in  the  family,  in  the 
capacity  of  gardener,  a  superannuated  sailor,  a  distant 
relative  of  my  uncle ;  and  it  was  to  me  a  source  of  the 
highest  gratification,  to  sit,  in  the  evenings,  beside  this 
old  man,  and  hear  him  relate,  with  that  quaintness  of 
narration  peculiar  to  his  profession,  the  wonderful  stories 
of  his  voyages,  his  adventures  in  foreign  lands,  and  the 
many  thrilling  incidents  which  abound  in  the  jovial  life 
of  a  sailor.  After  adroitly  contrasting  this  conthmed 
novelty,  and  these  varied  scenes,  with  the  dull  monot- 
ony of  a  life  spent  on  shore,  in  any  occupation,  he 
would  conclude  with  an  ejaculation  which  operated 
as  a  death-blow  to  all  the  dissuasive  arguments  urged 
by  my  relatives.  "  O,  if  I  had  twenty  sons,"  said  he, 
"  I  would  make  them  all  seamen."  Perhaps  there  is  no 
condition  in  life  in  which  old  age  so  strongly  exerts  the 
influence  it  so  deservedly  possesses,  as  that  of  an  in- 
dividual whose  fortunes  have  been  cast  amid  the  perils 
and  privations,  of  a  *'  life  on  the  ocean  wave ; "  and 
when  we  find  it  aided  by  that  garrulity  which  so  often 
accompanies  gray  hairs  in  this  profession,  we  are  not  to 
marvel  that  the  exercise  of  its  powers  on  a  youthful 
imagination  should  more  than  suffice  to  awaken  its 
highest  enthusiasm. 

The  stories  of  this  old  man  were  my  constant  com- 
panions by  day,  and  the  unchanging  subjects  of  my 
niglitly  dreams.  Often  a  single  iii  '  i  would  witness 
the  magical  pt^rformance  of  an  orrii  twelvemonth's 


0 

0 

< 


I 

01 


\k 


24 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


■  >  .Ml!!! 


)  m 


! 


voyage.  Cloud-capt  mountains,  stately  spires,  and  gor- 
geous palaces,  would  now  bound  the  prospect  before  me ; 
now  I  would  find  myself  wandering  in  the  midst  of 
some  great  metropolis,  lost  in  admiration  at  the  greater 
than  Oriental  splendor  around  me ;  and  again,  by  that 
mysterious  influence  which  all  have  felt,  and  none  can 
unravel,  I  would  be  angrily  tossed  in  the  midst  of  an 
awful  hurricane  upon  the  heaving  bosom  of  the  deep  ,* 
thus  experiencing,  in  the  short  space  of  a  few  uncon- 
scious moments,  the  delightful  emotions  arising  from 
the  most  exquisite  enjoyment,  to  be  followed  by  that 
intense  and  overpowering  agony  with  which  we  con- 
template some  dreadful  and  impending  calamity.  Time 
glided  on ;  my  inclination  in  favor  of  the  sea  was  un- 
changed ;  and,  despite  the  opposition  of  my  father  and 
uncle,  my  determination  had  become  unalterably  fixed 
to  abide  its  toils  and  dangers. 

The  fourth  year  of  my  schooling  had  expired,  and  as 
I  was  considered  competent  to  act  as  a  clerk,  I  was 

placed  in  the  store  of  a  merchant  at  K ,  a  relative 

of  the  family,  and  with  whom  my  uncle  was  upon  terms 
of  the  closest  intimacy.  This  was  to  me  a  source  of 
keen  disappointment ;  I  saw  at  once  that  all  the  fairy 
schemes  which  had  so  long  dazzled  and  delighted 
me,  and  excited  such  brilliant  hopes  of  future  success, 
were  utterly  frustrated ;  and  it  was  only  by  the  earnest 
persuasion  and  efforts  of  my  friends,  that  I  at  length 
became  partially  reconciled.  Accordingly,  a  day  was 
fixed  for  my  departure,  previously  to  which,  I  re- 
ceived much  admonitory  counsel  from  my  good  old 
relative.  Time,  with  its  ever-withering  influences,  has 
not  erased  from  my  memory  the  solemnity  of  his  manner, 
when,  the  day  before  my  departure,  he  drew  me  aside, 
and  said,  "  George,  you  are  now  about  to  enter  upon 
the  world,  and  will  soon  be  far  beyond  the  control  and 
friendly  advice  of  those  who  love  you.  You  will  be 
thrown  upon  your  own  resources,  a:id  it  will  depend 
much  upon  yoins'-lf  what  your  fiitnr(;  condition  in  life 
may  be  j "  and  then,  wiih  great  earnrst  (>ss,  he  continued, 


Lire    ON    THE    UCEAN. 


25 


id  gor- 
re  me; 
idst  of 
greater 
)y  that 
»ne  can 
t  of  an 
J  deep; 
uncon- 
ig  from 
by  that 
ve  con- 
Time 
ivas  un- 
her  and 
ly  fixed 


I,  and  as 
t,  I  was 
1  relative 
)n  terms 
>urce  of 
he  fairy 
elighted 
success, 
earnest 
length 
lay  was 
I,   1  re- 
)od  old 
Lees,  has 
(manner, 
le  aside, 
jer  upon 
jtrol  and 
[will  be 
depend 
in  life 
itinued, 


"  first  read  your  Bible,  and  be  obedient  to  its  precepts  and 
commandments ;  it  will  teach  you  your  duty  towards 
God,  your  fellow-men,  and  yourself;  be  honest  and  in- 
dustrious, respect  the  rights  of  others,  study  the  interests 
of  your  employer,  and  endeavor  to  become  a  thorough 
master  of  your  business."  During  this  recital,  I  saw  the 
big  tear  stealing  down  the  furrowed  cheek  of  the  old 
man,  whilst  I  myself  wept  immoderately,  and  promised 
implicit  obedience  to  his  injunctions. 

The  hour  for  my  departure  at  length  arrived,  and  the 
family  having  been  assembled  to  exchange  with  me  the 
last  adieu,  the  sound  of  "  God  bless  you !  "  rung  in  my 
ears,  and  we  drove  rapidly  away  from  the  old  family 
mansion.     In  two  days  we  completed  our  journey,  and 
arrived  at  K ,  New  Hampshire,    fhis  town  is  situa- 
ted thirty  leagues  north-east  of  Boston,  about  twelve  miles 
from  the  Connecticut  River,  and  nearly  the  same  distance 
from  the  famous  Bellows  Falls.     It  was  a  place  of  con- 
siderable importance,  numbering  about  two  thousand  in- 
habitants at  that  period,  and  the  borough  town  of  the 
county,  through  which  lay  the  direct  route  to  the  sea- 
board from  the  upper  part  of  the  state,  as  well  as  from 
Vermont.     Here  I  was  kindly  received  by  the  family 
of  Mr.  D.,  and  immediately  entered  upon  the  duties 
[of  my  new  station,  as  clerk  of  a  country  store.     My 
attention   now  became    so   much  engrossed    with   the 
[business  of  store-keeping,  that,  my  strong  propensity  for 
I  sea  in  a  measure  wore  off ;  nevertheless,  six  months 
lad  not  elapsed  —  such  was  the  monotony  of  country 
life,  and  such,  especially,  the  dull  uniformity  of  country 
;tore-keeping — ere  I  grew  exceedingly  weary,  and  again 
longed  for  the  noise  and  bustle  of  the  seaport.     My  old 
lautical  propensities  were  re-awakened ;  I  again  yearned 
for  the  opportunities  I  formerly  enjoyed,  of  visiting  the 
;hipping,  and  mingling  in  the  varied  amusements  of  a 
lommercial  city ;  and,  at  length,  became  so  negligent  in 
the  performance  of  my  duties  as  to  incur  the  strong  dis- 
pleasure of  Mr.  D.,  by  whom,  I  feel  it  but  justice  to  say, 
that  every  indulgence  was  granted  me,  and  nothing  left 


s-* 


\^ 


LirS    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


undone,  on  the  part  either  of  his  family  or  himself,  to 
render  my  situation  agreeable.  I  at  length  plainly 
acknowledged  to  him  that  my  present  occupation  was 
not  at  all  congenial  to  my  feelings,  and  requested  him  to 
write  to  my  relatives  in  Roxbury,  that  a  situation  might 
be  procured  for  me  in  Boston.  This  was  accordingly 
done ;  my  request  was  complied  with  by  my  uncle ;  and 
although  I  felt  regret  at  leaving  the  hospitable  roof  and 
amiable  family  of  Mr.  D.,  yet  my  contemplated  residence 
in  Boston  afforded  me  great  delight,  and  it  was  with 
more  of  rejoicing  than    otherwise  that  I  bade  a  final 

adieu  to  the  pleasant  town  of  K . 

I  had  been  fourteen  months  absent  from  my  uncle's 
mansion,  when  I  again  entered  it  with  a  feeling  of  fore- 
boding that  my  repeption  would  not  be  so  cordial  as  it 
was  wont  to  be.  The  result  proved  that  my  apprehen- 
sions were  not  groundless.  It  so  happened  that  my 
uncle  was  the  first  person  I  met,  who,  in  rather  a  caustic 
manner,  said,  "  George,  you  have  not  done  well ;  you 
have  left  a  good  business  and  a  kind  master  ,*  and  I  am 
very  fearful,  although  1  have  procured  you  a  good  situa- 
tion in  Boston,  that  your  strong  inclmation  for  a  sea- 
faring life  will  lead  you  to  the  commission  of  another 
pct  similar  to  this."  I  promised  him  that  I  would  en- 
deavor to  subdue  my  inclinations  in  that  respect,  and 
without  delay  entered  upon  my  duties  as  a  clerk  in  the 
counting-house  of  Messrs.  B.  &  J.  W.,  importing  mer- 
chants. Here,  certainly,  a  desirable  opportunity  was 
presented  of  advancing  my  fortunes;  and,  had  I  re- 
mained contented  to  complete  my  term  of  service  with 
these  gentlemen,  I  should,  in  all  probability,  at  this 
time,  in  common  with  my  fellow-clerks,  be  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits.  Time  glided  on;  my  career  was! 
smooth  and  promising,  and,  according  to  the  assurances! 
I  had  given  my  uncle,  I  endeavored,  by  sedulous  at*; 
tention,  to  fix  my  mind  to  the  business  in  which  I  was  I 
engaged,  although  possessing  no  very  strong  relish  for  j 
the  incessant  drudgery  of  an  under-clerk.  About  this! 
time,  however,  a  circumstance  occurred  which  again 


,J" 


UFE   ON    THE  OCEAN. 


a;  «7 


unsettl«d  my  mind,  uprooted  the  stem  resolves  I  had 
formed,  and  completely  changed  the  whole  current  of 
my  fortunes. 

The  ship  Dromo,  Capt.  W.,  was  fitting  out  for  an  ex- 
pedition to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  eighty  men  were 
required  as  her  complement,  thirty  of  whom  were  to  be 
green  hands.  Several  young  men  with  whom  I  was 
acquainted  had  engaged  to  embark  in  it,  and  every  per- 
suasion was  used  to  induce  me  to  accompany  them. 
But  little  entreaty  was  necessary  to  gain  my  consent 
to  this  measure,  and  a  pretext  was  soon  formed  to  jus* 
tify  me  in  leaving  the  employment  of  the  Messrs.  W. 
The  object  was  speedily  accomplished.  Although  this 
step  met  the  decided  disapproval  of  my  relations,  no  ob- 
stacle now  prevented  me  from  reducing  to  practice  my 
long-cherished  and  ardent  desire  for  the  sea;  and  ac- 
I  cordingly,  I  visited  the  ship  with  two  young  friends 
who  had  already  engaged  in  the  expedition,  and  was 
introduced  to  Capt.  W.,  to  whom  I  immediately  made 
known  my  wishes.  With  great  kindness  of  manner, 
he  inquired  who  my  friends  were,  and  whether  I 
Ihad  taken  this  step  with  their  approbation.  I  frankly 
lapprized  him  of  my  former  situation,  and  the  strong  pro- 
Ipensity  I  had  indulged  in.  "  Young  man,"  he  replied, 
p  you  have  chosen  a  life  full  of  toil  and  hazard,  and  as 
Ithis  voyage  will  perhaps  be  one  of  great  peril,  it  would 
jbe  well  for  you  to  reflect  maturely  upon  the  measure  you 
|are  about  to  adopt ;  consult  your  friends,  and  if  you  are 
still  determined  to  go  to  sea,  come  on  board  to*morrow, 
id  I  will  give  you  an  answer."  This  advice  was  im- 
plicitly followed  ;  I  conferred  with  my  friends  upon  the 
subject ;  and  as  they  deemed  it  no  longer  advisable  to 
thwart  me  in  my  inclination,  I  repaired  the  next  day  on 
}oard  the  ship,  stated  to  Capt.  W.  that  I  had  complied 
rith  his  suggestion,  and  that  the  result  was  a  settled 
letermination  to  go  with  him.  He  immediately  con- 
iiited  to  give  me  a  berth,  and  I  signed  the  ship's  articles, 
November  20th,  1807.  The  voyage,  as  specified  in  the 
tides,  was  to  the  North- West  Coast  of  America,  from 


e 

0 

h 

S 

a." 


z 


I,  i  'ii 


1% 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAIT.' 


If!' 


?tiiiiiiiii 


thence  to  China,  and  back  to  the  United  States.  But 
riimor,  with  great  plausibility,  represented  the  design 
of  the  expedition  was  to  force  a  trade  in  the  Spanish 
ports  of  the  western  continent,  then  declared  illegal 
except  for  Spanish  vessels ;  which  was  rather  confirmed 
from  the  fact  of  the  ship  mounting  twenty-six  guns, 
with  a  complemx^nt  of  one  hundred  men.  As  the  vessel 
was  expected  to  sail  in  about  fifteen  days,  the  first  officer, 
Mr.  L.,  eyeing  me  askant,  remarked,  ''My  lad,  you  had 
better  go  on  shore  and  exchange  your  long  togs  for  a 
sailor's  rig,  and  come  on  board,  that  you  may  get  used  to 
the  ship  before  she  goes  to  sea." 

I  was  now  satisfied.  The  brilliant  hopes  upon  which 
my  imagination  had  so  long  feasted  seemed  at  last 
to  be  attained.  A  career  of  dazzling  adventure  was 
before  me.  It  was  one  of  my  own  choice  and  seeking, 
despite  the  anxious  entreaties  and  untiring  efforts  of  my 
friends  to  change  it ;  and  whether  these  sanguine  expec- 
tations have  been  fulfilled,  in  the  twenty  long  years 
of  toil  and  suffering  through  which  I  have  struggled,  I 
will  leave  the  reader,  in  the  sequel,  to  judge. 


■J 


t.;  K 


jf-M 


iSJJIffW?    •'.  J;"*'^    1.'-JjV?«'    h-    tmi"^  'Hi 


But 

lesign 
patiish 
illegal 
firmed 
guns, 
vessel 
officer, 
3U  had 
J  for  a 
used  to 

■.1»5i 

I  which 
at  last 
ire  was 
leaking, 
s  of  my 
5  expec- 
g  years 
Tgled,  I 


^i'il' 


a^  29 


*». 


^ 


CHAPTER  tl. 


QOINO   ON   BOARD DESCRIPTION   OF   SHIP   AND  CHARACTER  OF 

THE   OFFICERS OBSERVATIONS   UPON   GREEN  HANDS GET- 
TING  UNDER  WEIGH FIRST   NIGHT   AT   SEA  — GALE,   &G 

The  day  appointed  for  sailing  was  the  6th  of  Decem- 
ber.    In  the  mean  time,  I  provided  myself  with  a  sea- 
chest,  well  stored  with  clothing,  small  stores,  a  quadrant, 
j  books,  &.C.,  together  with  a  small  adventure.     Whilst 
[getting   our  chests   on    board,  we  were   saluted  with 
[  the  following  harangue  from  the  second  officer,  Mr.  C. : 
"What !  transmogrified,  eh !  "  for  we  had  doffed  our  long 
clothes,  and  were  rigged  in  complete  sailor  suits  ;  "  you 
are  a  couple  of  tight  little  chaps,  with  pretty  smooth  faces 
[for  old  Neptune's  scraper,"  —  and,  casting  a  significant 
jglance  at  our  chests,  he  said,  "  You  have  two  very  pretty 
Icoffins  there ;  well,  we  shall  know  where  to  come  for 
[plank,  if  our  bulwarks,  are  stove  in  off  Gape  Horn ;  but 
>ear-a-hand,  and  get  your  dunnage  stowed  away,  for  if 


the  owner  should  pass  this  way,  he'll  make  you  pay 
freight  on  your  band-boxes."  Thus  saying,  he  turned 
ipon  his  heel  and  left  us,  while  we  quickly  stowed 
iway  our  chests  in  the  forecastle,  and  selected  our 
}erths.  As  we  were  in  the  act  of  going  on  shore,  we 
^ere  again  accosted  by  Mr.  0.    "  What,  young  lads,"  said 

s,  "  off  again  ?  Hark-ye !  this  ship  hauls  in  the  stream 
b-morrow,  and  mind,  all  hands  are  to  be  on  board  when 
khe  is  ready  to  go  ;  if  you  are  among  the  missing  at  that 
iime,  you  will  be  very  apt  to  have  your  memories 
freshened  during  the  cruise."  The  tone  and  manner 
)f  the  latter  part  of  this  address  made  a  very  sennble 

ipression  on  my  mind.,  and  as  we  determined  to  profit 
)y  this  friendly  hint,  we  took  especial  care  to  be  on 
)oard  early  the  next  day. 
4 


30 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCCAW. 


About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  greater  part 
of  the  crew  being  on  board,  preparations  were  made  to 
haul  into  the  stream.  Various  orders  were  given  in  quick 
succession,  but  as  one  half  of  them  were  to  me  unintel- 
ligible, it  was  a  source  of  consolation  to  know  that  there 
were  many  on  board  in  a  similar  predicament.  The 
boats  were  now  ordered  to  go  ahead  with  the  tow-line, 
the  fasts  were  cast  off,  a  range  of  cable  was  overhauled, 
and  the  anchor  got  off  the  bows,  ready  to  be  let  go. 
These  last  two  items  of  duty  are  always  performed  when 
a  ship  is  about  to  come  to  an  anchor.  Twenty  or  thirty 
fathoms  of  the  cable,  according  to  the  depth  of  water, 
are  generally  hauled  upon  deck,  and  the  parts  over- 
hauled round  the  windlass,  so  that  there  may  be  no 
impediment  when  the  anchor  is  let  go  ;  and  when  the 
anchor  is  clear  of  the  bows,  it  is  suspended  by  a  single  rope, 
so  that,  when  the  ship  gets  to  her  anchorage,  and  the 
order  is  given  to  **  let  go,"  all  may  be  clear,  and  the  ship 
brought  to  in  her  proper  berth.  It  being  quite  calm,  we 
were  quickly  towed  from  the  wharf  to  the  anchorage  ; 
and  it  was  a  little  curious  to  witness  the  pride  and 
anxiety  of  the  officers  to  make  the  ship  look  well.  This 
was  done  by  hauling  every  rope  taught,  and  squaring 
the  yards  with  the  lifts  and  braces,  at  the  command 
of  the  second  officer,  who  went  in  a  boat  some  distance 
around  the  ship.  It  may  here  be  remarked,  that  a  good 
seaman  takes  just  as  much  pride  in  the  appearance  of 
his  vessel  as  a  lady  does  in  that  of  her  drawing-room  ; 
and  no  surer  indication  of  an  officer's  nautical  skill  is 
wanting,  to  the  practiS  i  eye  of  a  sailor,  than  the 
appearance  of  his  ship  while  lying  at  anchor  in  port. 
After  every  thing  was  put  in  "  ship-shape  "  order,  as  a 
sailor  would  say,  the  anchor  watches  were  set  with  four 
men  in  each,  to  be  relieved  every  two  hours.  It  is  not 
usual,  however,  in  merchant  vessels,  to  have  more  than 
two  men  in  an  anchor  watch ;  but  as  we  had  a  large  crew, 
the  number  was  increased.  The  watches  were  so  regu- 
lated as  to  have  two  able  seamen  and  two  green  hands 
iu  each.     By  this  time  the  crew  were  all  on  board,  with 


i 


I 
I 


w 


V 


the  ex 
ship  w 
off  at 
first  ai 
aft  anc 
heard  t 
him  kn 
during 
Very 
ship,  ar 
of  the 
life  tha( 
hushed 
that  I 
forts  of 
heard 
confine 
months, 
second 
gave  me 
pleasant 
now  too 
besides, 
solved  to 
my  inclii 
with  the 
until  roui 
boats  wail 
deck.     B 
surgeon  ^ 
under  wi 
menced,- 
the  deck 
latter  wai 
and  conse 
evolution 
the  same  i 
scrubbed  < 
point  of  ( 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


ft 


1,  we 
age; 
and 
This 
laring 
itnand 
stance 
good 
nee  of 
oora  ; 
ill  is 
the 
port, 
as  a 
four 
lis  not 
than 
I  crew, 
regu- 
lands 
with 


i 


the  exception  of  the  captain  and  surgeon,  and  as  the 
ship  was  to  go  to  sea  the  next  day,  we  expected  them 
off  at  daylight.  Eight  bells  were  now  struck,  and  the 
first  anchor  watch,  being  called,  took  their  stations  two 
aft  and  two  forward.  Being  one  of  this  number,  I 
heard  the  order,  given  by  the  pilot  to  the  watch,  to  let 
him  know  if  any  change  of  wind  or  weather  took  place 
during  the  night,  and  especially  to  call  him  at  4  o'clock. 
Very  soon  a  profound  silence  reigned  throughout  the 
ship,  and  I  was  left  to  my  own  reflections.  The  bustle 
of  the  day  had  prevented  me  from  noting  the  change  of 
life  that  I  had  voluntarily  chosen  ;  and  now  that  all  was 
hushed  into  repose,  the  contrast  brought  to  mind,  I  found 
that  I  was  about  to  leave  friends,  and  all  the  social  com- 
forts of  home,  to  mix  with  a  society  of  men,  who,  as  I  had 
heard,  were  of  the  very  worst  habits  and  character,  and 
confine  myself  to  the  narrow  limits  of  a  ship's  deck  for 
months.  And  then,  again,  the  equivocal  humor  of  the 
second  officer  came  forcibly  to  my  recollection,  which 
gave  me  reason  to  believe  that  I  should  not  pass  a  very 
pleasant  time  with  him  during  this  cruise.  But  it  was 
now  too  late  to  think  of  retreating  from  my  position  ;  and 
besides,  pride  and  ambition  came  to  my  aid,  and  I  re- 
solved to  do  the  best  I  could,  and  follow  out  the  bent  of 
my  inclination.  The  night  was  calm  throughout ;  and, 
with  the  exception  of  my  watch  on  deck,  I  slept  soundly 
until  roused  by  the  shrill  whistle  and  hoarse  cry  of  the 
boatswain,  "All  hands  a-hoy  ! "  when  we  were  soon  on 
deck.  But  as  it  was  entirely  calm,  and  the  captain  and 
surgeon  were  not  yet  on  board,  of  course  we  did  not  get 
under  way.  The  usual  routine  of  work  then  com- 
menced,— such  as  rigging  the  head-pump,  washing  down 
the  decks  and  sides  of  the  ship,  swabbing,  &.c.  This 
latter  was  a  duty  wholly  consigned  to  the  green  hands, 
and  consequently  I  had  my  share  of  it.  To  make  this 
evolution  intelligible  to  my  readers,  I  may  state,  that  it  is 
the  same  operation  that  a  woman  performs  after  she  has 
scrubbed  the  floor,  wiping  it  dry  with  a  cloth ;  the  only 
point  of  diflerence  is,  that  it  is  done  on  board  of  a  ship 


e 

0 

i 

Oi 

> 


32 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


with  a  bundle  of  rope-yarns  tied  snugly  together,  with 
a  piece  of  rope  in  the  end  for  a  handle. 

The  weather  still  remaining  calm,  the  ship's  company 
were  employed  in  the  necessary  work  of  a  ship  previously 
to  her  going  to  sea,  such  as  getting  studding-sail-booms 
on  the  yards,  reeving  the  geer,  and  seizing  on  the 
chafing  mats,  d&c.  6cc.  About  mid-day,  the  captain  and 
surgeon  came  on  board ;  and  it  may  not  be  amiss,  in  this 
place,  to  make  the  reader  acquainted  with  the  ship  and 
her  crew. 

The  ship,  then,  was  about  six  hundred  tons'  burden, 
completely  fitted  out  for  a  long  voyage ;  one  hundred 
and  eight  souls  composed  her  crew,  eighteen  of  whom 
were  officers,  sixty  able  seamen,  and  thirty  green  hands  ; 
mounting  twenty-six  guns,  nine  and  twelve  pounds' 
calibre.  Capt.  W.  was  about  fifty  years  of  age,  stout 
and.  robust,  moral  in  his  deportment,  with  great  urbanity 
and  mildness  of  manners,  and  of  high  repute  in  his  pro- 
fession. Indeed,  he  appeared  to  be  more  like  the  father 
of  a  family,  on  board  of  his  ship,  than  one  who  has  the 
right  to  exercise  supreme  command.  During  the  whole 
voyage  he  was  in  all  respects  a  cool  and  intrepid  com- 
mander, as  well  as  an  honorable  and  feeling  man. 
The  chief  officer,  Mr.  L — --,  was  a  man  of  some  intelli- 
gence, master  of  his  profession,  but  very  passionate  and 
vindictive :  he  would  make  every  man  toe  the  mark,  as 
the  sailors  used  to  say :  he  acted  rather  as  a  sailing- 
master,  and  great  confidence  was  reposed  in  him  by  the 
captain.  The  second  officer,  Mr.  C,  of  whom  I  have 
had  occasion  to  speak,  was,  as  we  might  say  of  a  dia- 
mond, a  salt  of  the  first  water.  He  was  of  low  stature, 
thick,  and  strongly  built,  had  a  face  which  looked  as  if 
it  had  been  pelted  by  many  a  storm,  with  a  strong,  mus- 
cular arm,  and  a  fist  which  might  strike  a  blow  equal  to 
that  of  a  sledge-hammer ;  he  was  about  forty-five  years 
of  age,  with  a  constitution  that  had  not  yielded  to  the 
hardships  of  a  sailor's  life,  and,  as  the  sailors  used  to  say, 
he  was  as  godi  a  seaman  as  ever  took  marlinspike  in 

hand.   The  third  officer,  Mr.  K.,  about  twenty-six  years 

tit:  •  ^•.:n   i 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


33 


of  age,  had  served  a  regular  apprenticeship  to  the  sea, 
and  was  an  active  seaman,  rather  intelligent,  but  exceed- 
ingly jealous  of  his  authority,  and  used  it  on  every  occa- 
sion ;  although  he  was  obsequious,  to  the  last  degree,  to 
his  superior  officers.    Such,  then,  were  the  officers  under 
whom  I  was  destined  to  serve  for  tliree  long  years.        i 
The  first  day  wore  away  without  any  material  change 
in  the  weather  ;  consequently  we  had  to  lie  still :  after 
supper  all  hands  crowded  below  into  the  two  forecas- 
tles, separated  only  by  a  partition-grating,  having  but  one 
entrance  to  both  apartments  from  the  deck.     And  now 
I  had  an  opportunity  of  becoming  acquainted  with  some 
of  the  peculiar  habits  of  seamen ;  for,  while  some  were 
singing  songs,  others  were   "  spinning  long  yarns,"  as 
they  called  them:    there    were  others  sitting  round  a 
bottle   of  rum,    drinking   healths   to  sweethearts  and 
wives ;   while  in  one  corner  might  be  seen  a  group  of 
men,  listening  with   profound  attention  to   the   super- 
stitious tales  of  an  old  salt.     "  Jack,"  said  a  sailor  to  one 
of  the  men  who  sat   near  me.   who,  as  I  afterwards 
learned,  was  an  old  man-of-war's-man,  "what  are  we 
going  to  do  with  all  them  shooting-irons,  on  the  North- 
West  Coast  ? "     Hark-ye,  Bill,"  said  Jack  ;  "  you  are  a 
soft  tommy ;   do  you  think  them  copper-colored  gentle- 
men are  going  to  wear  them  silk  stockings,  and  all  that 
fine  rigging,  we  hoisted  in  the  other  day  ?  No,  no,"  said 
I  he,  rolling  his  quid  over  to  the  other  side,  and  looking 
very  knowingly  at  Bill,  "  I  will  bet  you  a  week's  grog, 
that  all  them  fine  things  are  for  the  ladies  of  the  Spanish 
Don,  yonder,  and  them  there  shooting-irons  are  Just  to 
beat  off  the  Spanish   cruisers."     Just  then  eight  bells 
I  were  struck,  anchor  watch  called,  and  the  same  orders 
were  given  as  on  the  previous  night ;  and  presently  I 
Iheaid  a  strange  exclamation  from   the   boatswain,  of 
I"  Dowse  the  glim  there  below,"  which  is  the  technical 
lexpression  for  putting  out  the  light.     We  were  roused 
jat  daylight  next  morning  by  the   same  shrill  whistle, 
land  the  cry  of,  "All  hands,  up  anchor  a-hoy  !  "  The  wind 
lad  sprung   up  lightly  from  thn     '^  Hi  ward,  and   we 
4* 


34 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


1:!  ■  :;ii 


commenced  the  work  of  getting  under  way ;  not,  as  is 
usual  in  merchant  vessels,  by  heaving  the  anchor  up 
with  the  windlass,  but  by  the  capstan.  This  is  per- 
formed by  the  use  of  a  rope,  which  is  called  a  messenger, 
one  end  of  which,  the  standing  part,  is  made  fast  to 
a  ring-bolt,  or  some  other  secure  place  ;  the  other  end 
being  rove  through  a  block  which  is  made  fast  to  the 
cable,  and  then  taken  to  the  capstan,  and  in  this  way 
the  anchor  is  hove  up  more  expeditiously.  The  sails 
were  now  loosed  and  quickly  set,  the  yards  braced  so 
as  to  cant  the  ship  to  port ;  and  we  were  soon  under 
way,  with  top-gallantsails  set,  standing  down  Boston 
Bay,  and  bidding  adieu  to  my  native  land.  I  sighed 
and  turned  away,  and  at  the  same  moment  heard  the 
pilot  call  out  to  loose  the  royals.  On  board  of  merchant 
vessels,  loosing  and  furling  the  light  sails  is  the  duty  of 
the  boys  ,*  so  I  sprung  into  the  mizzen  rigging,  and  got 
on  the  royal  yard,  loosed  the  sail,  which  was  quickly 
set ;  this  was  my  first  feat  of  seamanship,  and  I  felt  no 
little  pride  after  it  was  accomplished. 

The  wind  continuing  light,  we  set  studdingosaiU 
alow  and  aloft ;  but  as  we  approached  Nantasket  Roads, 
the  wind  hauled  round  to  the  eastward,  and  we  came 
to  an  anchor  at  3  P.  M,,  and  took  thisi  opportunity  to 
house  the  guns,  which  means  running  them  in  boards 
and  placing  them  fore  and  aft,  and  securing  them,  as 
well  as  the  long-boat,  spars,  &,c.  6cc.  At  6  P.  M.  all 
hands  were  summoned  aft,  the  watches  were  chosen^ 
and  the  men  stationed.  Qu  board  of  a  ship,  the  crew  is 
equally  divided  into  two  watches,  which,  by  way  of 
distinction,  are  called  the  starboard  and  larboard  watches ; 
each  watch  serving  four  hours,  excepting  from  4  to  8 
P.  M« :  this  is  divided  into  two  watches,  called  by  sailors 
the  dog  watch.  The  starboard  watch  fell  to  my  lot,  and 
nere  I  was  again  with  my  old  fViend^  the  second  otfioeT^ 
Mr.  G.  After  this  was  finished,  the  captain  addressed 
the  crew  as  follows:  "  Now,  my  men,  we  are  under  way 
for  a  long,  and  perhaps  a  perilous  voyage^  and  I  expect 
•very  man  on  board  will  obey  the  disoiplint  of  th\% 


:-M.  * . 


Lir£    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


3a 


as  18 


lor  up 
is  per- 
ienger, 
fast  to 
sr  end 
to  the 
is  way 
le  sails 
ced  so 

under 
Boston 

sighed 
Bird  the 
erohant 
iuty  of 
ind  got 
quickly 
;  felt  no 


ship,  by  conducting  himself  with  proper  respect  toward 
the  officers,  and  do  his  duty."  Then,  addressing  himself 
particularly  to  the  old  sailors,  he  said,  "  I  cannot  allow 
you  to  take  advantage,  or  impose  upon  the  boys  ;  for  they 
have  come  on  board  this  ship  without  any  pretensions  to 
seamanship,  and  are  as  green  as  you  were  before  them." 
And  turning  to  the  lads,  he  said,  "  Be  obedient,  endeav- 
or to  become  good  seamen,  and  if  there  are  any  who 
desire  to  learn  navigation,  the  gentlemen  aft  will  instruct 
you,  and  you  have  permission  to  come  aft  m  your  watch 
below,  whenever  the  weather  will  permit ;  "  and  raising 
his  voice,  he  said,  "  You  are  to  have  watch  and  watch, 
and  it  will  be  your  own  fault  if  that  regulation  is  altered 
during  the  voyage." 

December  7,  1807.  —  Early  the  next  morning  the  wind 
hauled  to  the  west-north-west,  and  we  got  under  way, 
made  sail,  and  stretched  out  to  sea.  The  wind  being 
moderate  and  the  sea  smooth,  we  made  but  slow 
progress.  At  meridian.  Gape  Cod  lighthouse  bore 
south  by  east,  distant  15  miles.  At  4  P.  M.  the  land 
disappeared,  having  sunk  in  the  distance.  The  ship 
I  having  as  yet  but  little  motion,  I  felt  nothing  of  the  so- 
much-dreaded  sea-sickness;  bn^  at  6  o'clock  the  wind 
freshened  and  obliged  us  to  take  in  our  light  sails,  and 
presently  the  sea  rose,  and  the  increased  motion  of  the 
ship  put  to  flight  all  my  ho)^s  of  escaping  the  usual  lot 
lof  a  green  hand ;  for  1  now  began  to  feel  an  unusual 
[disturbance  about  the  region  of  the  stomach. 

At  8  P.  M.  the  wind  had  increased  to  a  moderate  gale, 
rhich  caused  us  to  take  in  the  to]>-gallantsails,  and 
iouble-reef  the  topsails.  As  before  stated,  I  was  chosen 
the  starboard  watch  with  the  second  officer,  Mr.  (X,  i 
mi  as  it  wag  onr  first  watch  on  deck,  viz.,  from  8 
)'clock  to  midnight,  I  of  course  was  among  the  num- 
ber. Not  fbeiing  very  pleasantly.  \  was  scarcely  able 
0  keep  my  feet,  from  the  violont  mc»tion  of  the  ship, 
Ln  order  at  this  time  was  givoit  to  brace  the  yards; 
lurrying  aft,  I  had  reached  us  Tai'  as  the  oompnnion, 
fhen,  with  «^  sudden  roll  of  the  ^ihir)    i  losit  my  eq»;ilih-. 


4. 


36 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAK. 


rium,  the  concussion  of  the  fall  making  me  discharge  the 
whole  contents  of  my  stomach  on  the  weather  side  of 
the  quarter  deck.  This  was  a  mortal  offence,  especially 
as  sailors  are  not  allowed  to  go  to  the  weather  side  of 
the  quarter  deck  at  sea.  "  Hallo,"  cried  Mr.  C,  "  lost  your 
sea-legs,  hey  ?  recollect,  sir,  there  is  nothing  hove  on  the 
weather  side  but  hot  water  and  ashes ;  away  forward, 
and  get  a  swab."  This  being  done  in  a  bungling  way, 
he  took  hold  of  me  by  the  arm,  not  in  a  very  pleasant 
mood,  and  led  me  to  the  main  rigging,  and,  placing  the 
end  of  the  reef-tack  in  my  hand,  a  two  and  a  half  inch 
rope,  said,  "  There,  sir,  if  you  don't  know  the  names  of  all 
these  ropes  by  the  time  the  watch  is  up,  I  will  give  you 
the  end  of  this  on  your  back."  If  his  former  harangue, 
when  I  was  getting  my  chest  on  board,  made  a  sensible 
impression,  this  last  threat  made  a  much  deeper  one,  for 
I  not  only  knew  the  names  of  the  ropes  by  the  time 
specified,  but  the  sickness  left  me  in  about  an  hour,  and 
after  that  time  I  was  never  troubled  with  it  again. 


CONTINUAI 


At  mid 
called,  anc 
continued 
obliged  us 
furiously  t 
bows,  mad 
with  the  sj 
precations 
breaking  o 
sive  smell  | 
I  ship's  fore< 
whole  four 
the  boatsw 
[made  my 
I  presented 
lawfully  gK 
I  wind,   witi 
Ireefed  fores 
Imiles  per  I 
[imagination 
I    I  shall  ni 
Jof  the  deck 
■was  with  s( 
phip,  and  at 
[officer,  seeir 
tumble  ovei 
luickly  sen 
usual   work 
primming  sa 


wr 


:.^Ri^ 


CHAPTER   III. 

CONTINUANCE  OP  THE  GALE SUPERSTITION  OP  SAILORS- 

RISE    AT    SEA CROSSING    TUE   LINE,    &.C. 


•SUN- 


At  midnight  the  larboard  or  chief  mate's  watch  was 
called,  and  the  starboard  watch  ordered  below.  The  wind 
continued  to  increase  until  it  blew  a  strong  gale,  which 
obliged  us  to  close-reef  the  topsails,  the  ship  bounding 
furiously  through  the  water ;  the  sea,  dashing  against  the 
bows,  made  a  noise  like  a  roaring  cataract ;  so  that,  what 
with  the  sickness  of  the  green  hands,  the  oaths  and  im- 
precations of  the  sailors,  and  the  noise  caused  by  the 
breaking  of  the  water  forward,  together  with  the  offen- 
sive smell  of  the  bilge-water,  and  the  confined  air  of  a 
ship's  forecastle,  sleep  entirely  forsook  me  during  the 
whole  four  hours,  and  it  was  a  great  relief  when  I  heard 
I  the  boatswain's  mate  call  the  starboard  watch.  I  soon 
made  my  appearance  on  deck,  and  the  scene  which 
presented  itself  to  my  view  was  frightful,  and  yet 
awfully  grand.  The  ship  was  now  scudding  before  the 
wind,  with  close-reefed  fore  and  main-topsails,  and 
[reefed  foresail,  in  the  Gulf  Stream,  at  the  rate  of  eleven 
[miles  per  hour ;  and  the  waves,  to  my  highly-wrought 
[imagination,  were  running  mountains  high. 

I  shall  not  soon  forget  my  feelings  when  the  officer 

iof  the  deck  ordered  the  royal  yards  to  be  sent  down.    It 

(was  with  some  difiiculty  I  reached  the  after  part  of  the 

[ship,  and  attempted  to  get  in  the  mizzen  rigging ;  but  the 

|officer,  seeing  my  awkwardness,  and  fearing  lest  I  should 

tumble  overboard,  ordered  me  down.    The  yards  were 

quickly  sent  down,  and  every  thing  made  snug,  and  the 

isual   work  of  the  morning,  such  as  washing  decks, 

^rimming  sails  ^c.  nerforme^.    It  may  not  be  mpiss  ta 


38 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


I  'A  f' 


State,  in  this  place,  that  this  ship  differed  from  the  gen- 
erality of  merchant  vessels :  on  account  of  her  armament 
and  large  crew,  the  men  were  all  regularly  stationed  as 
on  board  of  a  man-of-war.  There  were  the  after-guard, 
waisters,  forecastle-men,  and  top-men ;  and  never,  unless 
on  some  very  extraordinary  occasion,  were  all  hands 
called.  This  is  not  the  case  with  merchantmen  in 
general ;  for,  on  every  occasion  to  reef,  or  take  in  sail,  or 
any  other  extra  duty,  all  the  ship's  company  must  be 
at  work ;  and  I  have  known,  on  board  of  some  ships, 
all  hands  to  be  called  half  a  dozen  times  in  a  watch. 
Seven  bells  were  now  struck,  the  larboard  watch  was 
called,  and  the  boatswain  piped  to  breakfast.  This  was 
not  a  very  comfortable  meal,  for  I  had  not  fairly  got  my 
sea-legs  on,  and  did  not  care  to  risk  my  head  in  going 
to  the  ceiboose,  to  get  my  tin  pot  of  cofiee.  j 

At  8  A.  M.  the  sea  became  more  regular ;  consequently 
the  ship  had  less  motion :  the  watch  below  turned  in, 
while  the  larboard  watch  performed  the  duties  of  the  | 
ship. 

December  9.  —  The  wind  had  now  become  more  mod- 
erate ;  but  as  we  were  in  the  southern  edge  of  the  Gulf 
Stream,  there  was  yet  a  heavy  cross  sea.    Innumerable  j 
porpoises  were  scampering  away  towards  the  north-east, 
like  a  herd  of  deer  with  a  pack  of  hounds  on  their  trail ;  \ 
and  I  heard  some  of  the  men  say,  that  we  should  be  surej 
to  have  a  blow  from  that  quarter ;  for  sailors  have  a  sign  | 
in  every  thing,  and  no  people  in  the  world  are  more  su- 
perstitiously  inclined.     I  once  heard  an  old  seaman  sayj 
that  he  belonged  to  a  ship  in  which,  during  the  previous] 
voyage,  a  man  had  been  murdered ;  and  he  roundly  af- 
firmed that  he  saw  the  ghost  of  that  man,  in  the  shape  I 
of  a  rat,  come  out  of  the  forecastle,  and  go  up  the  main- 
stay into  the  top ;  and  this  was  done,  he  said,  every  night j 
at  12  o'clock  precisely,  and  although  the  crew  supposedl 
they  had  killed  it  several  times,  yet  the  rat  continued  to  I 
go  up  the  main-stay  during  the  whole  vcyr»go.     The 
north-east  blow,  however,  as  predicted  by  the  course 
of  the  porpoises,  did  not  come,  for  the  wind  continued  to 


Ltrc    ON   TUL    OCEAN. 


39 


blow  from  west-north-west  until  the  14th.  The  weather 
now  became  -surpassingly  fine ;  royal  yards  were  sent 
aloft,  and  all  the  canvass  spread  on  the  ship.  By  this 
time  I  had  become  used  to  the  motion  of  the  ship,  and, 
as  sailors  say,  "  had  my  sea-legs  on ; "  and  as  I  had  pretty 
well  lined  my  ribs  with  salt  beef,  biscuits,  and  coffee,  I 
not  only  became  stronger,  but  in  much  better  spirits,  and 
felt  determined  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  seamanship  as 
speedily  as  possible.  I  therefore  felt  a  degree  of  pride 
when  I  could  get  aloft  first,  to  loose  or  furl  the  light  sails. 
The  second  officer,  I  suppose,  having  observed  this,  got 
me  promoted  from  the  after-guard  to  the  mizzen-top. 
Nothing  material  transpired  to  interrupt  the  monotony 
of  a  sea  life  until  the  17th,  when  I  heard  a  cry  from 
the  main-topgallant  yard  of  "  Sail  ho  !  "  This  was  a 
source  of  excitement  to  all  hands,  but  of  great  delight 
to  me,  who  had  not  as  yet  seen  any  other  vessel  in 
the  wide  ocean  but  our  own.  We  descried  her  from  the 
deck,  standing  across  our  larboard  quarter,  to  the  west- 
ward, at  too  great  a  distance  to  speak. 

December  18.  —  The  wind  hauled  to  the  south-west, 
with  warm,  pleasant  weather.  Every  one  belonging  to 
the  watch  on  deck  being  variously  employed,  I  could  not 
[help  but  remark  how  much  I  had  been  deceived,  for  I 

upposed  that  there  would  be  no  work  on  boa  '  of  a  ship, 
'ter  leaving  port,  until  her  arrival  at  the  place  of  desti- 

ation ;  and  consequently,  I  thought  sailors  must  have  a 

ne  time,  with  nothing  to  do  but  eat,  drink,  sleep,  and 

ook  out.    The  very  reverse,  however,  is  the  fact ;  for,  dur- 

ng  the  three  years'  cruise,  I  never  knew,  except  in  bad 
eather,  any  man  belonging  to  the  watch  on  deck  to 

pe:'d  an  idle  moment ;  and  it  may  well  be  said  that  a 
ilor's  work,  like  a  woman's,  is  never  done ;  and  on 

ong  voyages  particularly,  when  the  crew  have  watch 
d  watch,  it  seems  to  be  necessary  that  they  should  be 

mployed  at  work  in  their  watch  on  deck,  in  order  that 

heir  health  may  be  preserved. 
December  ^l. — Nothing  material  occurred  these  last 

hree  days.    This  morning  was  my  watch  on  deck,  and 


0 

0 

< 


k  5* 


Oi 


M    I 


ll 


LIPE    ON   THE    OCEAK. 


'iii;:i 


I',.!.  .'   . 


I 
■I 


the  weather  being  perfectly  clear,  with  a  smooth  sea,  1 
had  a  delightful  opportunity  of  beholding  the  sun  rise 
at  sea.  This  was  a  sight  I  had  long  coveted,  because  I 
had  heard  much  about  it ;  and  although  it  has  been  said 
that  the  scene  wants  the  accompanying  beauties  of  the 
landscape,  singing  of  birds,  &c.,  yet,  io  my  mind,  to 
behold  the  sun  rising  from  beneath  a  well-defined 
horizon,  in  majestic  splendor,  when  there  is  not  a  cloud 
to  be  seen  in  the  blue  arched  canopy  of  the  heavens, 
while  the  eye  ranges  over  the  interminable  waste  of 
waters,  not  only  surpasses  in  beauty  the  rising  of  the 
sun  on  shore,  but  it  also  inspires  the  beholder  with  a 
feeling  of  the  most  profound  awe  and  reverence  in  the 
contemplation  of  that  Almighty  Being  who  has  made 
and  upholds  all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power. 

December  23.  —  The  ship  having  now  run  far  enough 
to  the  eastward  to  make  the  north-east  trade  winds  fair 
for  crossing  the  equinoctial  line,  we  were  in  a  proper 
position  so  that,  when  we  took  the  south-east  trade  winds^ 
we  might  be  far  enough  to  the  eastward  to  weather  away 
Cape  St.  Roque,  and  have  plenty  of  sea  room.  Our 
position  then  was  30*^  north  latitude  and  38°  west  longi- 
tude, when  we  bore  away  to  the  southward,  and  in  two 
days,  that  is,  on  the  25th,  we  took  the  north-east  trade 
winds  in  latitude  26°  40^  N.  The  weather  had  now 
Decome  steady,  and  the  wind  uniform;  many  of  the 
young  men  on  board  wrote  up  their  journals  from  the 
shi^  's  log-book,  and  were  taught  navigation,  as  well  as 
the  use  of  the  quadrant,  by  the  first  officer,  Mr.  L. 

It  would  have  been  a  curious  spectacle  for  any  lands- 
man, as  it  was  to  me,  to  have  seen  the  various  employ* 
ments  which  were  now  in  operation.  On  one  side  of  the 
deck,  the  carpenter  and  his  mates  were  building  a  boat ; 
on  the  other,  the  boatswain  and  his  crew  were  laying  up 
rope ;  on  the  leeward  side  of  the  quarter  deck,  the  sail- 
maker  and  his  gang  were  repairing  and  making  light 
sails ;  while  the  remaining  part  of  the  watch  were  knot- 
ting yarns,  making  sinnet,  wads,  wad^bags,  du:.  Our 
ship  by  this  time  had  become  completely  disciplined, 


the  en 
whom 
and  W{ 
of  the 


Lire   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


m 


the  crew  were  divided  into  messes  of  six  each,  one  of 
whom  regularly  drew  every  day  the  rations  of  provisions 
and  water  for  the  mess ;  it  being  the  duty  of  the  officer 
of  the  watch  to  attend  to  the  serving  out  of  the  provis- 
ions and  water  every  morning,  at  which  time  a  large 
cask,  which  was  called  a  scuttle-butt,  secured  on  deck, 
was  filled  up. 

Having  now  become  somewhat  acquainted  with  the 
details  of  a  ship,  as  well  as  the  duty  of  the  officers,  it 
may  be  proper  to  remark  here  that  the  captain,  in  whom 
is  vested  supreme  command  and  great  power,  stands  no 
watch ;  he  navigates  the  ship,  and  dispenses  orders  to 
the  first  officer,  which  are  executed  accordingly.  He 
seldom  gives  an  order  to  a  sailor,  and  on  board  of  this 
ship,  the  captain  scarcely  ever  tacked  the  ship.  This, 
however,*  is  not  the  case  with  vessels  of  less  burden 
and  a  smaller  crew  ;  for  it  sometimes  happens  that  the 
captain  has  to  stand  his  watch,  and  carry  on  the  details 
of  the  ship.  The  duty  of  the  first  officer  is  to  write  the 
log-book,  in  which  all  the  transactions  and  occurrences 
of  the  voyage  are  noted ;  he  takes  account  of  the  cargo, 
and  is  accountable  for  loss,  bad  stowage,  &c.  .  The 
second  officer  keeps  the  captain's  watch  ;  stows  the  cargo, 
in  foreign  ports  ;  and  has  under  his  charge,  when  there 
is  no  boatswain,  the  spare  rigging,  blocks,  marlinspikes,, 
marling,  spun-yarn,  6cc. 

The  third  officer,  on  board  of  our  ship,  during  a  pari 
of  our  voyage  at  least,  was  a  kind  of  midshipman. 
Being  in  the  first  officer's  watch,  he  generally  passed 
the  word,  overlooked  the  men  while  at  work,  hove 
the  log,  Sec.  The  log  and  line  is  that  by  which  the 
ship's  run  is  calculated,  and  was  hove  on  board  of  our 
ship  every  hour,  and  marked  on  the  slate,  which  is  writ- 
ten off  by  the  chief  mate  on  the  log-book  each  day  at 
meridian,  when  the  weather  permits. 

We  continued  our  run  to  the  southward  with  a  fine 
north-east  trade  wind,  until  the  30th,  when  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  the  officers  take  a  lunar  observa- 
tion, to  detennine  the  longitude,  which  was  31^  west. 
5 


0 

h 

< 


f  u 


0| 

ma 

m 

IS 

> 


42 


LIFE   ON  THE    0CEAIV< 


I;    '  i: 

il         !l 


This  part  of  navigation  I  had  a  strong  desire  to  learn, 
and  determined  to  make  myself  a  lunarian  ere  the  voy 
age  should  close. 

As  we  ware  now  approaching  the  equinoctial  line, 
being  in  12°  north  latitude,  the  wind  became  lighter, 
and  I  heard  a  faint  buzzing  among  the  old  salts  about 
the  visit  of  old  Neptune  to  his  children,  which  I  then 
believed  was  no  farce«  until  ocular  demonstration  con- 
vinced me  otherwise,  as  will  hereafter  be  shown. 

January  3.  —  The  wind  now  had  become  very  light 
and  variable,  and  the  weather  squally.  As  we  expect- 
ed to  have  much  rain,  preparations  were  made  to  fill 
up  our  water-casks ;  and  in  this  we  were  not  disappoint- 
ed, for  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  January,  when  in  lati- 
tude 3°  north,  it  commenced  to  rain  at  8  o'clock,  and 
did  not  cease,  only  at  short  intervals,  the  wDole  day, 
during  which  time  we  caught  2000  gallons  of  water. 
After  this,  the  wind,  on  the  6th,  sprung  up  moderately 
from  south-south-east,  when  we  braced  up  our  yards  on 
the  larboard  tack  ,*  and  as  we  expected  to  cross  the  line  the 
next  night,  preparations  were  being  made  for  the  recep- 
tion of  old  Neptune  —  such  as  dressing  two  of  the 
oldest  sailors  to  personate  him  and  his  wife ;  throwing 
over  a  tar  barrel  on  fire ;  and  hailing  the  sea-god  from 
on  board. 

All  this  buffoonery  was  performed  after  dark,  and  so 
managed  as  to  be  kept  a  secret  from  the  green  hands. 

And  here  I  must  not  omit  stating,  that  this  foolery 
was  sanctioned  by  the  captain  and  officers,  very  much 
to  their  mortification  afterwards,  as  the  scene  of  confu- 
sion which  ensued  had  like  to  have  closed  with  a 
mutiny.  On  the  next  morning,  the  8th,  the  play  began ; 
the  green  hands  were  confined  in  the  forecastle,  one  at  a 
time  being  sent  up  blindfolded,  who  was  then  received 
by  his  majesty  of  the  sea,  and  the  operation  of  shaving 
commenced. 

The  lather  consisted  of  slush  mixed  with  the  dirty 
water  of  tho  grindstone  tub ;  the  razor  was  a  piece  of 
old  iron  hoopt  the  &ice  being  well  besmeared  with  this 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAK. 


43 


lather,  the  work  of  shaving  commenced,  during  which 
his  majesty  puts  some  interrogatories,  such  as,  "  Do  you 
intend  to  become  a  member  of  my  family,  and  a  faithful 
subject  of  my  realm? "  &c.  When  the  mouth  is  opened 
to  give  the  answer,  it  is  crammed  full  of  odoriferous  lath- 
er. This  done,  he  is  well  scraped  with  the  hoop,  and 
ducked  with  salt  water,  and  then  let  off  to  enjoy  the  re- 
mainder of  the  farce.  I  recollect,  when  tiiey  were  about 
to  cram  the  delicious  lather  into  my  mouth,  I  struck  the 
man  who  held  it,  and  in  the  bustle  the  bandage  fell 
from  my  eyes,  and  I  discovered  the  whole  trick.  A  scene 
of  confusion  here  took  place  ;  the  green  hands  all  sided 
together,  and  determined  not  to  submit  to  the  operation, 
and  the  old  sailors  attempting  to  force  us  to  yield,  a  riot 
took  place,  which  was  not;  without  much  difficulty, 
quelled  by  the  officers.  Order  being  at  length  restored, 
and  the  crew  having  returned  to  their  duty,  all  was 
soon  forgotten.  This  day  at  meridian  we  were  in 
20'  south  of  the  line,  having  crossed  it  in  29°  west 
longitude,  making  the  passage  in  twenty-eight  days 
from  Boston. 


44 


1  ." 


»*•• 


^;  ■/;,'■' 


CHAPTER   IV. 

MOON-RISE  AT  SEA HEAVY    SQUALLS  —  ROUNDING  CAPE   HORN 

EXCURSION^  IN   SEARCH   OF   WATER,   &C.   &C. 


1  I 


January  10.  —  Saw  this  morning  great  numbers  of 
bonita  and  albacora  round  the  ship,  —  not  unwelcome 
visitors,  as  many  of  the  former,  and  some  of  the  latter, 
were  taken,  which  gave  all  hands  a  fresh  mess,  always  a 
great  luxury  to  the  salted  stomach  of  a  sailor,  who  is 
sometimes  fifty  or  sixty  days  with  salt  beef  one  day  and 
salt  pork  the  next.  In  this  ship,  however,  there  was  an 
exception,  flour  being  served  out  to  each  mess  every 
Sabbath  day  to  make  pudding,  or,  as  sailors  call  it,  "  duff." 
The  trade  wind  being  fixed  at  south-east,  and  the 
weather  surpassingly  fine,  this  favorable  opportunity 
was  taken  for  getting  the  small  arms,  such  as  musketry, 
pistols,  &.C.,  in  complete  order,  and  in  making  cartridges ; 
and  as  the  boatswain  had  completed  making  a  great 
quantity  of  ratling  stuff,  a  boarding-netting  was  made 
out  of  the  same,  to  go  all  the  way  round  the  ship.  This 
netting  was  ten  feet  in  height,  from  the  upper  part  of 
the  bulwarks,  and  triced  up  to  stanchions  fitted  for  that 
purpose.  Now,  every  aspi.'-ant  had  a  fine  opportunity 
for  improvement,  as  the  officers  were  never  backward 
in  communicating  a  knowledge  of  seamanship  and  navi- 
gation ;  of  which  many  of  the  young  men  took  advan- 
tage. On  one  occasion,  when  I  was  in  the  steerage, 
copying  from  the  log-book  into  my  journal  a  day's  run, 
the  second  officer,  Mr.  C,  being  present,  to  instruct,  said 
to  me,  "  Young  man,  I  favored  you  while  crossing  the 
Gulf  Stream,  in  that  bit  of  a  blow,  for  I  was  fearful  that 
your  body  would  get  the  better  of  your  flippers,  and 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


45 


you  might  tumble  overboard.  Since  that,  time,  the 
-weather  has  been  such,  that  a  dozen  old  women  might 
have  worked  the  ship;  and  ^uet  we  cross  these  lati« 
tudes  and  reach  Cape  Horn,  we  shall  have  work 
enough,  and  every  man  on  board  must  do  his  duty. 
Now  you  have  got  your  sea-tacks  aboard,  «nd  your 
jacket  well  lined,  I  hope  you  have  a  good  conscience ; 
for  now-a-days  most  of  the  young  chaps  that  go  to  sesl 
are  sent  off  by  their  friends,  or  run  away  from  their 
masters,  because  they  are  so  worthless  and  dissipated 
that  nothing  can  be  done  with  them  on  shore.  These 
fellows  never  n>ake  sailors,  for  they  are  not  fit  for  the 
land  or  sea,  and  are  just  such  as  give  sailors  a  bad  name. 
I  hope  you  will  not  flinch  from  your  duty,  for  some- 
times there  are  fearful  mishaps  off  that  stormy  cape.  I 
once,"  continued  he,  "  was  before  the  mast  in  a  brig, 
bound  round  the  cape,  when  we  were  struck  with  one 
I  of  those  south-west  hail  squalls,  while  close  rcsfing  the 
main-topsail,  when  both  topmasts  went  close  by  the 
cap,  and  three  out  of  the  six  that  were  on  the  yard 
were  thrown  overboard,  and  went  to  Davy  Jones's  locker. 
I  They  were  my  messmates,  and  never  flinched  in  their 
jduty."  I  discovered,  by  the  tone  of  his  voice,  that,  as 
Iwe  sometimes  say,  his  heart  was  in  his  mouth,  and  if 
|he  had  continued  the  recital,  his  eye-pumps  would  have 
riven  way.  It  may  be  proper  tc  observe  here,  that, 
although  Mr.  G.  laid  aside  the  distinction  of  the  officer 
)n  these  occasions  when  below,  yet  he  never  deviated 
from  the  strict  discipline  of  the  ship  when  on  deck,  for 
)n  those  occasions  I  knew  him  only  as  Mr.  C,  second 
)fficer. 

January  15.  — ^  I  had  often  heard  the  seamen  on  board 
speak  of  the  uninterrupted  course  of  the  wind  in  these 
grades,  and  of  the  uniform  good  weather.  I  was  now 
jonvinced,  for  during  the  last  seven  days  the  wind  hud 
lot  varied  half  a  point,  and  the  weather  was  unifoimly 
i:ood.  On  the  night  of  the  16th,  having  the  middle 
ratch,  while  sitting  in  the  mizzeti-'top  —  for  the  topmen 
rere  always  in  the  tops,  in  good  weather,  during  their 
5* 


e 

0 

i 

< 

\x\ 

MM 

it 

> 

mm 

Z 


46 


LtFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


i 


im 


watch  —  musing  on  the  fond  recollections  of  home,  and 
the  associations  connected  with  it,  I  was  roused  from 
this  reverie,  to  behold  the  moon  rising  with  solemn 
grandeur  in  a  cloudless  sky.  Nothing  could  be  more 
impressive  ;  for  now  a  profound  silence  reigned  through- 
out the  ship,  and  nought  was  to  be  seen  save  this  pale 
queen  of  night,  ascending  to  perform  her  rounds,  (with 
here  and  there  a  brilliant  gem,  that  decked  the  azure 
vault,)  and  the  wide-spread  ocean,  which  seemed  almost 
boundless  as  infinity,  and  the  bark,  now  floating  o'er 
the  blue  wave.  All  this  brought  forcibly  to  my  recol- 
lection the  reflections  of  David,  as  portrayed  in  the 
inimitable  psalm :  ''  When  I  consider  thy  heavens,  the 
work  of  thy  fingers,  the  moon  and  stars  which  thou  hast 
ordained,"  &,c.  Although  surrounded  by  a  numerous 
crew,  I  could  not  help  feeling  that  my  situation  was 
lonely ;  yet  the  wholesome  admonition  of  my  good  old 
uncle  constantly  reiterated  in  my  ears,  especially  that 
part  which  admonished  me  to  excel  in  my  profession. 

January  19.  —  When  in  the  parallel  of  Cape  Frio,  I 
again  heard  the  welcome  sound  of,  ''Sail  ho!"  which 
proved  to  be  a  ship  steering  to  the  westward,  as  we 
supposed  bound  to  Rio  de  Janeiro.      The  wind  con- 
tinued steady  at  south-east,  and  the  weather  being  fine, 
we  took  this  opportunity  of  getting  our  large  guns  below.  I 
Nothing  material   occurred  until    the  26th,  when   we| 
passed  the  latitude   of  Rio  de  la  Plata,  and  did  not, 
according  to  our  expectation,  experience  any  of  those! 
severe   blows,  called   by   the  Spaniards   Pomperos,  so 
usual  at  this  place.     The  winds  now  became  variable,] 
and  the  weather  squally,  until  we  reached  the  parallelj 
of  40°  south.     On  the  morning  of  the  6th  February, j 
the  wind  being  light  at  south-east,  saw  heavy,  dense, 
black  clouds  in  the  south-western  quarter,  driving  furi-l 
ously  to  the  north-east.     All  the  light  sails  were  imme-| 
diately  furled,  the  topsails  close  reefed,  courses  hauledl 
up  and  furled,  and  the  yards  braced  so  as  to  take  thel 
wind  on  the  starboard  tack.     For  a  few  minutes  therel 
was  an  entire  calm ;   suddenly   the  ship  was  struck! 


with  a 
such  w 
wale  in 
the  und 
as  well 
The  cj 
execute 
t 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


47 


with  a  most  tremendous  squall  of  rain,  hail,  and  wind  ; 
such  was  its  violence,  that  the  ship  lay  with  her  guti- 
wale  in  the  water.  I  had  now  an  opportunity  of  seeing 
the  undaunted  coolness  and  seamanship  of  Captain  W., 
as  well  as  the  importance  of  a  well-disciplined  crew. 
The  captain  assumed  entire  command,  which  was 
executed  with  great  promptness  by  the  officers  and 
crew :  the  mizzen-topsail  was  furled,  and  the  lee-main- 
topsail-braces  were  slackened,  to  shiver  the  sail ;  the 
helm  was  put  to  starboard,  and  the  ship  wore  off  before 
the  wind,  and,  like  an  impatient  courser  which  had 
been  checked,  she  bounded  furiously  over  the  waves  at 
the  rate  of  twelve  miles  per  hour.  The  violence  of  the 
squall  lasted  but  one  hour,  when  it  settled  into  a  hard 
gale,  and  as  the  ship  was  running  directly  out  of  her 
course,  preparations  were  now  made  to  bring  her  up  by 
the  wind,  and  lie  to.  The  fore-topsail  was  furled ;  and 
the  ship  having  no  other  sail  set  but  the  close-reefed 
main-topsail,  and  fore-topmast -staysail,  the  main-yard 
was  now  braced  up,  the  helm  was  put  to  leeward,  and 
the  ship  came  up  to  the  wind.  This  being  the  first  gale 
that  we  had  experienced,  I  was  a  little  surprised  to  find 
how  perfectly  safe  the  ship  appeared  to  ride  on  the  sea, 
and  although  it  b!«w,  as  the  sailors  said,  a  very  severe 
gale,  yet  it  could  scarcely  be  realized  when  we  were 
below.  The  gale  lasted  about  twelve  hours,  and  the 
wind  then  hauled  round  to  the  south-east,  and  all  sail 
being  made,  we  stood  on  our  course  without  much  in- 
terruption. 

February  17.  —  Sent  down  royal-yards,  masts,  and 
rigging,  and  got  in  the  flying-jib-boom  to  prepare  for 
bad  weather  off  the  Cape.  The  wind  now  hauled  to 
the  southward  with  strong  breezes,  so  that  it  obliged  us 
I  to  take  the  larboard  tack,  and  stand  to  the  westward, 
and  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  at  10  A.  M.,  "  Land  ho !  " 
was  sounded  from  the  mast-head,  stretching  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  reach  to  the  south-west.  This  proved  to 
be  the  cheerless  coast  of  Terra  del  Fuego ;  and  was  the 
first  land  we  had  seen  since  our  departure  from  Nantas- 
ket  Roads.      Our  latitude  now   was   54°  30'  south; 


48 


LirB    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


longitude,  64°  30'  west;  having  made  the  passage  in 
seventy  days. 

The  wind  now  hauled  to  the  south-west,  and  in- 
creased to  a  gale,  with  violent  hail  squalls ;  and  at  5 
P.  M.  saw  Staten  Land  bearing  south-west,  and  at  6  we 
wore  ship  to  the  south-east.  The  frequency  of  these 
terrible  hail  squalls  brought  to  my  recollection  the  con- 
versation with  Mr.  C. ;  and  as  I  had  often  been  advised, 
by  the  sailors,  to  give  the  owners  one  hand  and  use 
the  other  for  myself,  I  found  their  caution  to  be  abso- 
lutely necessary,  especially  in  these  severe  squalls  ;  for 
on  that  night  all  my  strength  was  put  to  the  test,  while 
endeavoring,  with  some  30  or  40  men,  to  furl  the  main- 
sail, which  could  not  be  accomplished  in  less  than  an 
hour,  such  was  the  violence  of  the  wind  ;  the  rain  and 
hail  pouring  upon  us  in  torrents,  so  that  I  became 
entirely  benumbed,  and  had  to  lash  myself  with  the 
earring  to  the  yard-arm,  to  prevent  falling  overboard, 
having  almost  lost  the  use  of  my  hands. 

In  this  blow  the  fore-topsail  blew  out  of  the  bolt-ropes, 
and  several  other  sails  were  split  to  pieces.  We  had 
now  got  our  head  fairly  up  to  the  curved  land  off  Cape 
Horn ;  and  although  I  had  heard  much  about  the  bad 
weather,  yet  every  account  failed,  in  its  description,  to 
the  reality  which  we  now  experienced.  For  several 
days  neither  sun,  moon,  nor  stars,  were  seen,  and  the  ship 
constantly  under  close-reefed  fore  and  main-topsails,  and 
reefed  foresail,  with  a  tremendous  heavy  sea  running. 

We  continued  endeavoring  to  get  to  the  westward, 
but  made  very  little  progress.  On  the  25th,  observed  in 
latitude  57°  30'  south,  and  not  having  had  an  opportunity 
.  to  take  a  lunar  observation,the  longitude,  by  computation, 
from  our  last  departure  from  Staten  Land,  was  70*^  30' 
west.  This,  however,  could  not  be  relied  upon,  because 
there  is  constantly  a  strong  easterly  current,  and  in- 
stances have  not  been  wanting  where  ships  have  judged 
themselves  to  the  westward  of  the  Cape,  and  have  actu- 
ally borne  away  to  the  northward,  when  at  the  same 
time  they  were  to  the  eastward,  and  the  first  land  that 
they  saw  was  about  the  Rio  de  La  Plata. 


Febi 
snuth-s 
course, 
the  shi{ 
tudes,  t 
tion  of 
not  tim 
At  6 
west,  w 
night,  t( 
On  th 
violent  i 
the  mail 
The  viol 
not  only 
but  also 
coffee,  — 
great  pri^ 
At  9  1 
close-reef 
wind  luUe 
came  smo 
which  W( 
one,  with 
two  inche 
is  the  larg 
saw  one  ol 
the  wings, 
and  line,  i 
!  ning  and  j 
toes,  vineg 
■  crew,  as  pi 
!  which    ha( 
I  ties,  we  ra 
sisting  of  { 
biscuit,  am 
and  boiled 
long  voyag 
when  we  si 


LIFE    OS    TIIK    OCEAN. 


49 


February  26.  —  The  wind  moderated  and  hauled  to 
south-south-west;'  and  as  we  could  make  a  good  westerly 
course,  a  heavy  press  of  canvass  was  now  made  upon 
the  ship,  against  a  heavy  head  sea.  Indeed,  in  these  lati- 
tudes,  the  sea  is  very  seldom  smooth,  because  the  cessa- 
tion of  gales  is  of  so  short  a  period  that  the  swell  has 
not  time  to  subside. 

At  6  P.  M.,  the  wind  hauled  again  to  the  west-south- 
west, with  severe  hail  squalls,  which  obliged  us,  at  mid- 
night, to  furl  the  fore  and  mizzen-topsails. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th  the  wind  increased  to  a 
violent  gale,  which  caused  us,  for  the  first  time,  to  furl 
the  main-topsail,  and  lie  to  under  the*  storm-staysail. 
The  violence  of  the  gale,  and  the  consequent  heavy  sea, 
not  only  made  it  difficult  for  us  to  get  about  the  deck, 
but  also  prevented  the  cooks  from  boiling  any  meat  or 
coffee,  —  the  loss  of  which,  especially  the  coffee,  was  a 
great  privation. 

At  9  P.  M.,  the  gale  broke,  and  at  midnight  we  set 
close-reefed  topsails.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th  the 
wind  lulled  away  to  a  moderate  breeze,  and  the  sea  be- 
came smoother  ;  this  day,  saw  a  number  of  birds,  among 
which  were  albatrosses ;  and  w^  succeeded  in  taking 
one,  with  a  hook  and  line,  which  measured  twelve  feet 
two  inches,  from  tip  to  tip  of  the  wings.  The  albatross 
is  the  largest  bird  in  this  region,  except  the  condor.  I 
saw  one  of  the  latter,  which  measured  fourteen  feet  across 
the  wings.  We  also  caught,  this  day,  with  a  small  h^ok 
and  line,  a  number  of  cape  pigeons,  which,  after  skm- 
ning  and  parboiling,  made  us  an  excellent  sea  pie ;  pota- 
toes, vinegar,  and  molasses,  were  now  served  out  to  the 
crew,  as  preventives  to  the  scurvy,  some  symptoms  of 
which  had  appeared.  From  these  acceptable  dain- 
ties, we  made  what  the  sailors  call  "  lobscouse,"  con- 
sisting of  salt  beef,  with  potatoes  cut  up,  with  broken 
biscuit,  and  some  fat,  mixed  together  with  fresh  water, 
land  boiled  —  and  this  is  a  rare  mess  to  a  seaman,  on  a 
I  long  voyage.  The  wind  continued  light,  until  4  P.  M., 
when  we  saw  a  very  black  appearance  on  the  water  to 


tj 


50 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


the  eastward,  and  supposed  it  to  be  the  reflection  from 
the  clouds ;  but,  with  the  aid  of  the  spy-glass,  it  was  soon 
discovered  to  be  wind,  driving  furiously  from  the  east- 
ward. All  hands  were  now  in  motion  ;  we  lowered  away 
the  yards,  and  clewed  up  the  sails ;  the  hands  sprung 
aloft,  and  furled  all  but  the  fore-topsail,  which  was  close- 
reefed  ;  the  ship  was  now  put  before  the  wind,  amid  the 
roaring  of  the  elements ;  preventer-lashings  were  put  on, 
to  secure  every  thing  about  deck,  and  preventer-braces, 
on  the  fore  and  fore-topsail  yards. 

Night  came  on,  and  the  scene  was  terrific;  what 
with  the  howling  of  the  wind,  the  hoarse  bellowing  of 
the  thunder,  the  vivid  lightning,  and  the  tremendous 
heavy,  roiling  sea,  which  broke  in  on  either  beam ;  her 
stern  now  lifted  by  the  sea,  and  her  head  plunging  in- 
to the  vortex  below ;  the  stately  ship,  nearly  600  tons' 
burden,  looked  comparatively  like  a  nutshell  on  the 
waves. 

It  was  a  fearful  night,  and  made  the  stoutest  hearts 
on  board  quail.  At  midnight,  the  violence  of  the  sea 
stove  in  our  stern  boat,  which  was  immediately  cut 
away  from  the  gripes,  and  we  also  lost  both  swinging 
booms.  During  the  whole  night,  the  ship  was  driven 
with  maddening  impetuosity,  by  the  violence  of  the 
gale,  twelve  miles  per  hour.  Towards  daylight,  March 
1st,  the  gale  became  steady,  and  more  moderate ;  and 
the  ship  was  kept  away  a  little  to  the  northward.  At 
meridian,  we  observed  in  latitude  56^  68'  south,  and  no 
land  being  in  sight,  of  course  we  were  to  the  westward 
of  the  westernmost  land  of  the  Cape. 

Having  now  fairly  doubled  Cape  Horn,  I  considered 
myself  to  be  a  piece  of  a  sailor,  as  I  had  endeavored  to 
improve  every  opportunity  to  become  acquainted  with 
the  duties  of  a  seaman,  and  in  this  I  was  greatly  assisted 
by  Mr.  C,  who,  as  I  thought,  appeared  to  take  great 
pleasure  in  getting  me  forward. 

March  2.  — The  wind  became  steady,  and  hauled  to 
the  southward,  with  strong  breezes,  and  clear ;  and  as 
we  lessened  our  latitude,  the  weather  became  proper- 
tionably  good. 


lied  to 
pd  as 
Iropor- 


LIPE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


m 


March  7.  —  During  the  last  five  days,  we  had  uniform 
strong  breezes,  and  nothing  occurred  to  interrupt  the 
usual  routine  of  duty,  and  sameness,  of  a  sea  life.  Ob- 
served this  day  at  meridian  in  39°  30'  S.,  and  the  sun  and 
moon  being  in  distance,  a  lunar  observation  was  taken, 
and  the  longitude  deduced  therefrom  was  78°  2(y  W. 

March  8.  —  Sent  up  royal-yards,  masts,  &c. ;  got  out 
flying-jib-boom ;  and  by  this  time,  the  carpenters  had  re- 
paired the  bulwarks,  made  swinging  booms,  and  other 
necessary  repairs. 

March  9.  —  Weather  being  exceedingly  fine,  and  the 
sea  smooth,  we  improved  the  opportunity  to  hoist  up 
our  large  guns,  and  mounted  them  on  their  carriages. 
In  doing  this,  a  very  serious  accident  happened  to  the 
carpenter,  which  nearly  cost  him  his  life.  He  unfortu- 
nately got  between  the  combings  of  the  hatch,  and  a 
nine  pounder  swinging  in  the  tackle  abreast  of  him,  when 
the  man  who  attended  the  guy  let  it  slip,  and  the  gun 
I  swung,  with  the  motion  of  the  ship,  against  his  breast. 
He  was  taken  up  for  dead ;  but  through  the  indefati- 
I  gable  exertions  of  the  surgeon,  he  was  soon  brought 
to  exhibit  signs  or  life,  but  did  not  perform  any  duty  for 
four  months,  and  was  not  the  same  man  again  during 
the  :  oyage.  The  guns,  with  all  their  paraphernalia,  being 
Isecured,  and  the  wind  being  now  moderate,  all  sail  was 
■set,  under  the  expectation  of  making  the  island  of  Masa- 
[fuero  the  next  day.  , 

March  10.  —  At  10  A.  M.,  land  was  descried  from  the 
last-head,  bearing  north-north-west,  1^  leagues  distant ; 
the  ship  was  heading  exactly  for  the  land ;  it  proved  to  be, 

was  expected,  the  island  of  Masafuero,  situated  in  33° 
16'  S.  latitude,  and  80°  38'  W.  longitude,  having  made 
^he  passage  in  ninety-two  days  from  Nantasket  Roads. 

The  island  of  Masafuero  is  small,  being  about  six  miles 
[n  length,  and  four  and  a  half  in  breadth.  On  approach- 
ing this  island,  it  every  where  appears  to  the  eye  of  the 
^holder  a  mass  of  high,  shelving  rocks,  without  verdure 
|>r  shrub,  which  we,  in  truth,  found  to  be  the  case  after 

iding  ]  and  it  is  therefore  incapable  of  affording  suste* 


I 


52 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAIT. 


nance,  especially  on  the  south  side,  for  we  examined  it 
thoroughly. 

We  stood  boldly  into  the  south  side,  until  within  a  mile 
and  a  half  of  the  island,  it  being  the  intention  of  Captain 
W.  to  send  the  boats  on  shore  to  get  water,  if  they  could 
land.  Accordingly,  two  boats  were  manned  and  de- 
spatched, myself  being  one  of  the  number;  each  man  ta- 
king his  hook  and  line,  to  fish.  In  approaching  the  beach, 
we  found  it  impossible  to  land,  the  surf  being  so  great, 
the  whole  shore  being  lined  with  rocks.  In  this,  we 
were  much  disappointed ;  the  chagrin,  however,  did  not 
last  long,  for,  to  our  great  joy,  when  we  commenced 
fishing,  we  caught  them  in  such  numbers  that,  in 
two  hours,  we  loaded  both  boats  with  the  finest  fish  I 
ever  ate.  This  proved  to  be  a  great  treat  to  the  officers 
and  crew,  and  amply  compensated  us  for  our  disappoint- 
ment in  not  being  able  to  effect  a  landing.  This  night, 
lay  off  and  on,  keeping  the  island  full  in  view,  with 
the  expectation  that  we  might  be  able  to  land  in  the 
morning. 

At  daylight,  on  the  11th,  sent  away  the  same  two  boats 
with  the  fishing-gear,  scrne  muskets,  and  ammunition. 
The  wind  being  lighter  than  on  the  preceding  day,  and| 
the  surf  not  so  high,  it  was  therefore  agreed  that  onei 
boat  should  endeavor  to  land,  while  the  other  was  to 
remain  off,  to  fish.     Accordingly,  the  boat    to  which 
I  belonged  proceeded  ;  and  with  great  difficulty,  and  at 
the  hazard  of  our  lives,  we  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
beach.     After  securing  the  boat,  we  took  our  muskets, 
and  went  in  search  of  water,  the  prospect  of  success 
being  very  unpromising,  for  every  where  the  land  pre- 
sented an  exceedingly  barren  appearance,  without  shrub-l 
bery  or  vegetation,  consisting  principally  of  high,  shelving 
rocks,  and  now  and  then  might  be  seen  some  pricklyj 
pear  bushes,  as  a  kind  of  relief  to  this  rugged  scene. 
After  the  most  diligent  search,  our  efforts  proved  fruit- 
less, and  no  water  was  to  be  found  in  any  quarter.l 
About  a  mile  and  a  half  from  where  we  landed,  near  to  al 
sand-beach,  there  was  a  small  piece  of  ground,  whichi 


appeared  t< 
men  who 
which  had 
There  v/ere 
a  hut  in  w 
our  search, 
chosen,  fresl 
were  disapp 
third  officer, 
to  give  over 
could.     We 
spatch,  and  i 
herd  of  goat 
up  an  acclivit 
with  as  much 
ground.     Ouj 
we  had  scarc( 
did,  it  was  «'o 
We  reached 
difficulty,  the 
During  our 
^w  eggs,  whi( 
a  small  island 
boat  was  s*on 
them.     The  b 
that  we  founc 
We  killed  and 
similar  to  the 
the  young  hoc 
sea,  are  quite 
duck.    And  n< 
abundance,  we 
water  being  no 
the  island,  and 
Jngly,  the  boat! 
steered  away  t< 
6 


itlFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


53 


appeared  to  have  been  cultivated,  as  we  supposed,  by 
men  who  had  been  left  on  the  island  to  catch  seal, 
which  had  formerly  been  taken  here  in  great  numbers. 
There  v/ere  also  the  remains  of  what  probably  had  been 
a  hut  in  which  they  lived.  Here,  again,  we  renewed 
our  search,  supposing  that,  as  this  location  had  been 
chosen,  fresh  water  could  not  be  far  off ;  but  in  this  we 
were  disappointed.  The  day  now  being  far  spent,  the 
third  officer,  who  commanded  the  boat,  thought  it  best 
to  give  over  the  search,  and  get  on  board  as  fast  as  we 
could.  We  proceeded,  therefore,  with  all  possible  de- 
spatch, and  in  passing  a  narrow  defile  of  rocks,  started  a 
herd  of  goats,  which,  being  exceedingly  frightened,  ran 
up  an  acclivity  of  rocks,  that  seemed  nearly  perpeiidiculai-, 
with  as  much  apparent  ease  as  if  they  had  been  on  level 
ground.  Our  surprise  was  so  great  at  seeing  them,  that 
we  had  scarcely  presence  of  mind  to  fire ;  and  when  we 
did,  it  was  "o  j^h  at  random,  that  we  killed  but  two. 
We  reached  s  oat  at  about  4  o'clock,  and,  with  some 
difficulty,  the  surf  being  high,  joined  our  companions. 
During  our  absence  on  shore,  the  jolly-boat  was  sent 
for  eggs,  which  were  found  in  so  great  abundance  on 
a  small  island  detached  from  the  main  island,  that  the 
boat  was  s^on  loaded,  and  towed  off  to  the  ship  with 
them.  The  birds  here  were  so  numerous  and  so  tame, 
that  we  found  great  difficulty  in  driving  them  away. 
We  killed  and  took  a  great  many.  Some  were  nearly 
similar  to  the  wild  duck,  but  the  most  delicious  were 
the  young  boobies,  which,  previously  to  their  going  to 
sea,  are  quite  as  great  a  delicacy  as  the  canvass-back 
duck.  And  now,  having  fish,  fowls,  and  eggs,  in  great 
abundance,  we  fared  sumptuously.  All  hopes  of  getting 
water  being  now  at  an  end,  it  was  determined  to  leave 
the  island,  and  to  proceed  to  the  coast  of  Chili.  Accord- 
ingly, the  boats  were  hoisted  in,  sail  was  made,  and  we 
steered  away  to  the  westward. 
6 


»'Jfi*.' 


54 


CHAPTER  V. 

C/BJECT    OF    tltE    VOYAGE    EXPLAINED    TO    THE    CREW— COM' 

MENCEMENT  OP  TRAFFIC   ON  THE   COAST  OF   CHILI BAT  OF 

COQUIMBO,   &C.   &C. 

March  12.  —  This  day  we  had  fine,  pleasant  weather, 
and  the  ship  was  hauled  up  so  as  to  make  the  land  near 
Conception  Bay.  At  meridian,  all  hands  were  called 
aft,  and  addressed  by  Captain  W. 

"  My  men,''  said  he,  "  no  doubt  some  of  you  have 
perceived  our  destination  before  this  time ;  I  will  now 
explain  to  you  the  nature  of  our  voyage.  We  are  about 
to  run  on  to  the  coast  of  Chili,  and  from  thence  down 
the  coast  to  California.  Our  business  i^  a  forced  trade, 
and  we  shall  be  likely  to  meet  with  opposition,  and  fall 
in  with  Spanish  cruisers.  It  is  not  my  intention  to  run 
the  ship  into  any  fortified  port,  or  to  engage  any  vessel 
of  greater  force  than  ourselves ;  there  will  be,  however, 
some  risk,  as  there  always  is  in  a  contraband  trade,  and 
I  have  taken  this  opportunity  to  let  you  know,  that,  if 
the  ship  is  taken  by  the  Spaniards,  we  shall  not  only  be 
made  prisoners,  but  shall  also  be  confined  in  the  mines, 
I  expect,  therefore,  every  man  will  do  his  duty,  and  never 
strike  the  American  flag.  And  as  we  shall  necessarily 
have  much  work  to  do  with  our  boats,  to  transport  goods 
t-n  shore,  the  greatest  precaution  will  be  necessary,  so 
that  you  may  not  be  entrapped  by  the  Spaniards.  I 
have  no  fears  as  to  the  final  result  of  this  voyage,  for^ 
we  have  a  ship  that  is  quite  able  to  take  any  thing  in 
these  seas  that  wears  the  Spanish  flag,  except  it  may  b«| 
a  frigate." 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  address  the  men  gave  thri 
cheers ;  for  all  hands  had  the  greatest  respect  for,  am 
the  strongest  confidence  in,  Captain  W. 


Crews 
was  stret 
preparatic 
oi  an  atta 
March 
fine,  clear 
at  the  gur 
ployed  m 
the  manoBi 
March  J 
heard  from 
it  proved  t( 
cahtiJ^na. 
sible,  to  as 
^ying  in  eit 
be  effected 
the  wind  I 
sufficient  dz 
took  in  all  th 
up  the  coun 
March  li 
tion  Bay,  bi 
the  southeri 
Two  boats  1 
each,  to  recc 
ing  informal 
offing  had  « 
for  the  Spai 
The   boat 
there  were  n 
that  the  coa 
goods.     The 
chorage-groui 
all  but  the  n 
much  satisfac 
appeared  a  pr 
being  far  sper 
and  on,  as  oi 
getting  our  ci 


Life  on  the  ocean. 


m 


Crews  were  chosen  for  the  boats,  the  boarding-netting 
was  stretched  round  the  ship,  and  stoppered,  and  every 
preparation  made  with  the  armament  to  be  ready  in  case  < ' 
of  an  attack. 

March  13.  —  The  wind  continued  at  south-east,  with 
fine,  clear  weather.  This  day  the  men  were  stationed 
at  the  guns  in  three  divisions,  after  which  we  were  em- 
ployed in  exercising  them,  as  well  as  in  going  through 
the  manoeuvre  of  repelling  boarders. 

March  14.  — At  meridian,  the  cry  of  "  Land  ho ! "  was 
heard  from  the  mast-head.  Our  latitude  being  36°  43', 
it  proved  to  be  the  coast  between  Conception  and  Tal- 
cahii??na.  We  stood  boldly  in,  our  object  being,  if  pos- 
sible, to  ascertain  whether  any  Spanish  cruisers  were 
lying  in  either  of  those  ports.  This,  however,  could  not 
be  effected  before  night,  for,  as  we  approached  the  land, 
the  wind  became  light,  and  consequently  we  had  not 
sufficient  daylight  to  make  our  observations.  At  8  P.  M.,  ' 
took  in  all  the  light  sails,  single-reefed  the  topsails,  hauled 
up  the  courses,  and  lay  off  and  on  during  the  night. 

March  15. — At  daylight,  stood  in,  and  saw  Concep* 
tion  Bay,  bearing  west-south-west,  and  ran  close  in  to 
the  southernmost  point,  and  saw  a  few  scattered  huts. 
Two  boats  were  manned  and  armed,  with  an  officer  in 
each,  to  reconnoitre,  and  to  land,  for  the  purpose  of  giv- 
ing information  to  those  on  shore  that  the  vessel  in  the 
offing  had  every  description  of  merchandise  suitable 
for  the  Spanish  market. 

The  boats  effected  a  landing,  and  ascertained  that 
there  were  no  Spanish  men-of-war  in  either  port,  and 
that  the  coast  and  country  were  entirely  destitute  of 
goods.  They  also  sounded,  and  discovered  good  an- 
chorage-ground under  the  southern  point,  secure  from 
all  but  the  northerly  winds.  This  information  caused 
much  satisfaction  lo  all  on  board,  because  there  now 
appeared  a  prospect  of  commencing  business.  The  day 
being  far  spent  when  the  boats  returned,  we  stood,  off 
and  on,  as  on  the  preceding  night ;  at  the  same  time 
getting  our  cables  and  anchors  in  readiness  to  let  go. 


>' 


\ 


m. 


LirE    ON  THE    OCEAir. 


March  16.  —  This  morning,  ran  in,  and,  at  10  o'clock, 
came  to,  with  the  small  bower,  in  fourteen  fathom 
water,  abreast  of  the  southern  point  of  Conception  Bay. 
The  land  on  this  coast  is  exceedingly  barren,  although 
in  the  interior  it  is  fertile,  vegetation  abundant,  and  the 
grape  is  cultivated ;  there  being  some  extensive  vine- 
yards, from  which  wine  is  made  in  large  quantities,  and 
sent  to  every  part  of  the  coast  of  Chili. 

While  here,  we  had  abundant  reason  to  speak  well  of 
the  grape,  both  as  to  its  delicacy  and  richness,  for  great 
quantities  were  brought  to  us  from  time  to  time. 

At  11  A.  M.J  sent  our  boats  on  shore,  as  on  the  pre- 
ceding day ;  they  returned  about  1  P.  M.,  bringing  two 
swarthy-looking  Spaniards,  very  meanly  clad. 

Our  steward,  being  a  Spaniard,  acted  as  interpreter, 
through  whom  it  was  ascertained  that,  notwithstand- 
ing the  appearance  of  these  men,  they  were,  neverthe- 
less, rich,  and  wished  to  purchase  goods  to  the  amount 
of  ^20,000,  if  they  could  be  safely  landed.  They  also 
stated  we  had  chosen  a  bad  place  to  anchor,  because 
the  ship  would  be  seen  from  the  city  of  Conception. 
It  was  then  determined  to  get  under  way  at  dark, 
and  stand  off  and  on,  so  as  to  keep  out  of  sight.  In 
the  mean  time,  these  Spaniards  were  to  purchase  the 
goods,  and  we  were  to  land  them  under  cover  of  the 
night.  This  arrangement  being  made,  the  boats  were 
despatched  with  the  Spaniards  to  bring  oflf  their  specie. 
At  6  P.  M.,  they  returned,  bringing  the  money  with  them, 
and,  according  to  previous  arrangement,  we  got  under 
way,  stood  off  and  on,  and,  at  about  midnight,  they  fin- 
ished their  purchases,  to  the  amount  of  near  $20,000, 
which  were  packed,  stowed  in  the  boats,  and  sent  on 
shore.  They  were  landed  without  accident  or  interrup- 
tion, the  boats  returned,  and  all  on  board  were  well 
satisfied  with  the  commencement  of  our  trade. 

March  24.  —  During  the  preceding  days,  nothing  ma- 
terial occurred,  except  that  we  were  constantly  look- 
ing out  for  landing-places  and  settlements  on  the  coast, 
between   Talcahuana  and  Conception.     We  found  it| 


a  very 
landing 
without 
saie  of 

MarcJ 

more  coi 

determin 

were  feai 

mation, 

point.     A 

ward,  yet 

of  the  ye 

touched  a 

March 

and  were  ^ 

venter-slin 

work  outsi 

might  have 

Mar  h  3 

quimbo.     ' 

stations  of  < 

second  offic 

ence,  I  was 

and  appoint 

The  latter  i 

for,  because 

selected  for 

spermaceti  \ 

the  right  wl 

merly  been  < 

At  9  P.  ]V 

into  a  school 

distinctly  he 

we  Jay  near 

fearful    rapid 

other  side  ch 

the  ship  durij 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


57 


3ck, 
lom 
3ay. 
•ugh 
the 
rine- 
,  and 

ill  of 
great 

1  pre- 


two 


jreter, 

stand- 

erthe- 

mount 

;y  also 

ecause 


|g  ma- 
look- 
coast, 

md  it  I 


almost  impossible  to  get  on  shore  with  oiir  boats,  as  the 
coast  between  the  two  latter  places  lies  entirely  open  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  consequently  there  is  at  all  times 
a  very  heavy  snrf  running.  We,  however,  effected  a 
landing  about  20  miles  south  of  Talcahuana,  but  not 
without  great  hazard  of  our  lives,  and  succeeded  in  the 
sale  of  about  $6000  worth  of  goods. 

March  27.  —  Having  now  ascertained  that  nothing 
more  could  be  done  on  this  part  of  the  coast,  it  was 
determined  to  go  farther  to  the  leeward,  especially  as  we 
were  fearful  that  the  Spanish  cruisers  might  get  infor- 
mation, if  we  remained  any  great  length  of  time  at  one 
point.  Although  Valparaiso  was  the  next  port  to  lee- 
ward, yet,  it  being  strongly  fortified,  and  at  this  season 
of  the  year  a  rendezvous  for  men^of'War,  we  neitiier 
touched  at  nor  passed  near  to  it« 

March  30.  —  During  the  last  three  days,  we  stood  off, 
and  were  employed  in  exercising  our  guns,  fitting  pre- 
venter-slings to  our  lower  yards,  and  altering  the  paint- 
work outside,  in  order  to  deceive  those  Spaniards  who 
might  have  seen  the  ship  to  windward. 

Mar  A  31. -—Stood  in  to  make  the  land  about  Co- 
quimbo.  This  day  an  alteration  was  made  in  the 
stations  of  our  crew,  and  I  began  to  perceive  Mr.  C,  the 
second  officer,  to  foe  my  friend ;  for,  through  his  influ- 
ence, I  was  transferred  from  the  mizzen  to  the  main-top, 
and  appointed  to  pull  the  bow  oar  in  one  of  the  cutters. 
The  latter  was  an  advancement  I  had  no  reason  to  look 
for,  because  none  but  the  most  trusty  and  fearless  were 
selected  for  that  duty.  At  sunset,  saw  a  number  of 
spermaceti  whales,  which  were  easily  distinguished  from 
the  right  whale  by  some  of  our  seamen,  who  had  for- 
merly been  engaged  in  the  whale  fishery. 

At  9  P.  M.,  the  wind  became  very  light  as  we  shot 
into  a  school  of  these  monsters  of  the  deep.  While  we 
distinctly  heard  the  deep-toned  breathings  of  some  as 
we  lay  nearly  becalmed,  others  were  plunging  with 
fearful  rapidity  under  our  bottom,  appearing  on  the 
other  side  close  to  the  vessel.  They  continued  round 
the  ship  during  a  great  part  of  the  night,  to  the  no  small 
6* 


>i 


&) 


58 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


dismay  of  some,  but  to  the  great  delight  of  others,  who 
had  frequently  been  eye-witnesses  to  scenes  of  a  similar 
character. 

April  1.  —  At  6  A.  M.,  saw  the  land,  distant  12  leagues. 
The  breeze  freshening,  we  made  all  sail  and  stood  in. 
The  coast  made  was  between  Point  Bellena  and  Co- 
quimbo.  The  appearance  of  the  land  was  high  and 
exceedingly  rugged ;  the  shore  presented  an  unbroken 
line  of  rocks,-  and  seemed  to  defy  the  skill  and  manage- 
ment of  any  boat's  crew  to  land ;  but  as  our  business 
was  to  effect  this,  if  possible,  after  running  close  in,  two 
boats  were  maimed,  armed,  and  despatched  to  reconnoi- 
tre, and  effect  a  landing,  if  pr^^cticable.  As  before  stated, 
being  appointed  bow-man  of  one  of  the  cutters,  of 
course  I  was  of  the  number.  On  approaching  the  shore, 
we  found  it  utterly  impossible  to  land,  such  was  the 
violence  of  the  breakers,  dashing  against  the  rocks ;  and 
the  heavy  rollers,  which  broke  at  a  considerable  distance 
outside  of  them,  presented  an  insumaoimtable  barrier, 
and  left  us  no  alternalive  but  to  return  to  the  ship. 

At  3  P.  M.,  after  the  boats  were  hoisted  in,  the  mast- 
head men,  who  were  always  aloft  during  the  day  look- 
ing, sung  out,  "  Sail  on  the  larboard  bow  !  "  This  was 
the  first  vessel  we  had  seen  this  side  of  Cape  Horn,  and, 
as  we  were  now  engaged  in  a  contraband  trade,  the  cry 
of  "  Sail  ho  ! "  created  an  unusual  excitement.  It  was 
so  in  this  instance  particularly,  as  all  hands  were  called 
to  quarters,  the  decks  cleared,  and  every  thing  put  in 
readiness  for  action.  We  hauled  upon  the  wind,  on  the  I 
larboard  tack,  and  the  vessel,  which  proved  to  be  a  ship, 
passed  five  or  six  miles  to  the  leeward  of  us.  Captain 
W.  concluded  that  she  was  a  whaler,  bound  into  Co-| 
quimbo  for  supplies.  It  seemed  to  be  necessary,  how- 
ever; tor  us  to  ascertain  her  character,  it  being  the  inten- 
tior.  of  Captain  W.  to  go  into  Coquimbo  also,  as  ourl 
supply  of  water  was  now  getting  short,  and  as  we 
should  run  little  risk,  there  being  no  fortifications  at| 
that  port ;  we  immediately  bore  away,  and  before  sun- 
set were  sufficiently  near  to  make  her  character  to  be  a| 
merchant  vessel.  ^  ^^-^    -^  -  -  ;:?  j ti 


April 
the  Bay 
discovers 
destinati( 
for  she  v 
ably,  arr 
and  on  i 
Every 
anchor,  \i 
flying  at 
hoist  Spar 
could  not 
merchant ' 
in  the  eve 
til  within 
then  came 
was  despa 
ship.      Ill 
captain,  w 
bound  to  C 
cargo.     He 
ing  the  ch 
business,  sti 
lao,  merchai 
board,  and, 
up  his  order 
much  in  wai 
ting  a  supp 
of  our  being 
be  attended  ' 
of  soldiers  w 
"s  off.     Ace 
despatch,  arn 
casks  in  tow  ; 
was  sent  witt 
be  procured, 
be  obtained 
It  was  ascer 
Spaniards^  wh< 


LIVE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


09 


gues. 
d  in> 
.  Co- 
i  and 
rokeii 
nage- 
siness 
1,  two 
onnoi- 
stated, 
irs,  of 
shore, 
•as  the 
:s;  and 
iistance 
barrier, 

IP- 
mast- 

|y  look- 
is  was 
•n,  and, 
he  cry 
It  was 
called  I 
put  in 
on  the] 
a  ship, 
laptainj 
ito  Co- 
,  how- 
inten- 
as  curl 
as  wel 
ons  at| 
Ire  sun- 
;o  be  a| 


April  2.  —  At  daylight  we  were  close  in  with  the  land, 
the  Bay  of  Coquimbo  full  in  view,  and  it  was  soon 
discovered  that  Captain  W.  was  not  mistaken  as  to  the 
destination  of  the  vessel  we  had  seen  the  preceding  day  ; 
for  she  was  lying  at  anchor  in  the  harbor,  having,  prob- 
ably, arrived  the  night  previously,  while  we  stood  oflf 
and  on  in  the  offing. 

Every  thing  being  now  in  readiness  to  come  to  an 
anchor,  we  stood  into  the  bay  with  our  stars  and  stripes 
flying  at  the  j^eak,  and  quickly  perceived  the  ship  to 
hoist  Spanish  colors.  From  her  appearance,  however,  we 
could  not  be  deceived  as  to  her  character  being  that  of  a 
merchant  vessel ;  nevertheless,  every  precaution  was  taken 
in  the  event  of  deception.  We  continued  to  run  in  un- 
til within  a  short  distance  of  where  the  ship  lay,  and 
then  came  to  an  anchor  in  ten  fathom  water.  A  boat 
was  despatched,  to  ascertain  the  true  character  of  the 
ship.  In  about  an  hour  she  returned,  bringing  the 
captain,  who  informed  us  that  he  was  from  Valdivia, 
bound  to  Callao,  and  had  put  in  here  to  land  some  of  his 
cargo.  He  also  expressed  much  satisfaction  on  learn- 
ing the  character  of  our  ship,  and  the  nature  of  our 
business,  stating  that  he  had  orders  to  purchase,  in  Cal- 
lao, merchandise  of  the  same  description  that  we  had  oti 
board,  and,  therefore,  he  concluded  to  purchase  and  fill 
up  his  orders  with  us.  It  now  became  necessary,  being 
much  in  want  of  water,  to  proceed  without  delay  in  get- 
ting a  supply  before  the  news  should  reach  St.  Jago 
of  our  being  in  this  port,  which  if  known,  landing  would 
be  attended  with  much  hazard,  because  a  strong  body 
of  soldiers  would  be  despatched  from  that  place  to  cut 
us  off.  Accordingly,  we  proceeded  with  the  greatest 
despatch,  armed  all  our  boats,  took. a  number  of  water- 
casks  in  tow ;  and,  when  near  the  beach,  one  of  the  boats 
was  sent  with  the  interpreter,  to  ascertain  if  water  could 
be  procured,  and  to  gather  such  information  as  could 
be  obtained  with  reference  to  the  facilities  of  trade. 
It  was  ascertained  by  the  interpreter  that  the  few 
Spaniards  who  were  there  appeared  to  be  friendly,  and 


60 


UrE   ON  THE   OCEAir. 


offered  to  assist  us  in  procuring  water  and  supplies. 
They  also  expressed  much  satisfaction,  being  in  want 
of  goods,  when  they  understood  we  had  such  articles 
on  board  as  would  suit  them.  As  we  had  heard  of  the 
faithlessness  of  Spaniards,  we  did  not  place  much  reli- 
ance on  their  apparent  friendship ;  consequently,  every 
precaution  was  taken.  A  few  casks  only  were  landed  at 
a  time,  and  those  under  cover  of  a  strong  detachment 
of  our  men,  well  armed  ;  and  the  launch  having  a  swivel 
mounted  on  her  bow,  and  anchored  near  the  beach, 
to  protect  the  party  filling  the  water-casks,  who  were 
within  gun-shot,  afforded  ample  security  against  all 
danger. 

These  arrangements  being  made,  we  proceeded  with- 
out molestation,  and  in  about  three  hours  filled  all  the 
casks  which  we  brought  with  us,  rolled  them  to  the 
beach,  slung  them,  and  proceeded  on  board.  We  con- 
tinued our  labors  without  interruption  two  days,  and,  to 
the  no  small  satisfaction  of  Captain  W.,  completed  our 
watering,  succeeded  in  purchasing,  at  a  very  low  rate, 
three  small  bullocks,  which  were  killed  on  shore,  and 
supplied  the  whole  ship's  company  with  fresh  provisions 
for  several  days. 

April  5.  —  The  boats  were  employed  for  several  days 
going  to  and  from  the  shore,  bringing  with  them  those 
who  wished  to  trade.  The  captain  of  the  Spanish  ship 
made  large  purchases.  On  the  12th,  the  Spaniard  got 
under  way,  and  proceeded  to  Callao,  the  port  of  his 
destination,  and,  on  the  14th,  our  land  communication 
was  broken  off  in  consequence  of  the  arrival  of  a  large  i 
body  of  soldiers  sent  from  the  interior  to  prevent  curl 
trade.  The  colonel  of  this  detachment,  however, 
offered  to  let  us  trade,  if  a  duty  of  20  per  cent,  werel 
secured  to  the  government.  But  Captain  W.,  suspecting 
a  decoy,  refused  to  have  any  further  communication! 
with  the  shore  at  this  place. 

The  Bay  of  Coquimbo  lies  in  the  parallel  of  29°  56'| 
south,  and  71°  16'  w^st  longitude.  This  is  a  perfectly 
safe  and  good  harbor  where  vessels  may  ride  securely 


against 
from  1( 
having  i 
ning  do^ 
forms  th 
The  hm 
the  intei 
*     ducing  s] 
i     the  peaci 
I    ever  eate 
near  this 
of  twent] 
smelting  ■ 
a  source 

From  tj 

of  ChiJi,  t 

municatioi 

constructe 

difficulty  a 

numerous  ] 

the  mount 

performed  i 

trained,  ths 

passes,  witi 

would  scare 

In  the  of 

petnally  snc 

elevation  of 

can  be  pres 

truly  sublim 

rise  from  be) 

an  apparent] 

thousand  va 

the  clouds  \ 

and  its  base. 

with  the  ligh 

at  once  the  r 

imagination  < 

ings  as  this  i 


Lire    ON   THE    OCGAW. 


61 


plies, 
want 
tic\es 
f  the 
1  reli- 
every 
led  at 
iment 
jwivel 
beach, 
»  were 
(ist  all 

I  with- 

all  the 
to  the 

fe  con- 
and,  to 

ited  out 
w  rate, 
ire,  and 
•visions 


u 


Lpectingl 
liicationj 

srfectlyj 
Leciuelyl 


against  all  winds,  having  good  anchorage-ground  in 
from  10  to  15  fathoms  water,  and  is  easy  of  accesSi 
having  a  wide  entrance,  and  may  be  known,  when  run- 
ning down  the  coast,  by  a  remarkably  high  bluff,  which 
forms  the  southernmost  point  to  the  entrance  of  the  bay. 
The  land  near  the  seaboard  is  high  and  sterile ;  but  in 
the  interior,  especially  in  the  valleys,  it  is  rich,  pro- 
ducing spontaneously  the  grape  in  abundance,  as  well  as 
the  peach-tree,  which  yields  the  finest  peaches  I  have 
ever  eaten.  In  this  region  are  mines  of  copper  ore,  and 
near  this  place  a  vein  has  been  discovered  to  the  extent 
of  twenty  leagues,  and,  no  doubt,  when  the  art  of 
smelting  is  made  known  to  the  Spaniards,  will  become 
a  source  of  vast  revenue. 

From  the  town  of  Coquimbo  to  St.  Jago,  the  capital 
of  Chili,  the  distance  is  about  fifty  leagues.  The  com- 
munication is  kept  up  by  a  road,  or  rather  a  path,  rudely 
constructed,  and  the  travelling  is  attended  with  much 
difficulty  and  danger,  because  of  the  narrow  passes  and 
numerous  precipices,  which  are  frequent  as  you  go  over 
the  mountains.  All  travelling  and  transportation  are 
performed  by  mules ;  these  animals  being  so  perfectly 
trained,  that  they  will  go  along  safely  over  the  narrow 
passes,  with  their  yawning  gulfs  beneath,  where  a  man 
would  scarcely  venture  to  perform  this  task  on  foot. 

In  the  offing  may  be  seen  the  first  range  of  the  per- 
petually snow-topped  Andes,  or  Cordilleras,  the  highest 
elevation  of  which  is  the  peak  of  Chimborazo.  No  sight 
can  be  presented  to  the  human  eye,  or  mind,  more 
tnily  sublime  and  magnificent,  than  to  behold  the  sun 
rise  from  behind  those  lofty  summits,  and  from  beneath 
an  apparently  well-defined  horizon  of  snow ;  while  a 
thousand  variegated  hues  are  reflected  by  its  rays  in 
the  clouds  which  lie  between  the  top  of  the  mountain 
and  its  base.  The  intervening  land,  strongly  contrasted 
with  the  light  and  shade  thrown  upon  the  clouds,  forms 
at  once  the  most  magnificent  and  picturesque  view  the 
imagination  can  conceive.  I  shall  not  forget  my  feel- 
ings as  this  sight  first  opened  to  my  view,  in  a  morn* 


>i 


02 


Lire   ON  THE    OCEAN. 


ing  watch,  when  the  silence  and  solitude  of  night 
were  dispelled  by  grajr-ejred  morning,  and  the  rising 
beams  of  the  sun,  scattering  the  mists  and  vapors  from 
the  land,  presented  to  my  vision  the  scene  just  now 
described.  It  was  an  hour  when  all  the  warring  pas- 
sions of  nature  were  lulled  and  hushed  into  repose, 
by  the  deeper  feelings  of  awe  and  veneration,  in  con- 
templating the  wisdom  and  power  of  the  great  Architect 
of  the  universe. 

April  15.  —  In  the  morning,  at  daylight,  the  shrill 
whistle  and  hoarse  cry  was  heard  of  "All  hands,  up 
anchor,  a-hoy !  "  which  was  soon  done,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  the  ship  was  under  a  press  of  canvass,  standing 
out  of  the  Bay  of  Coquimbo.  After  getting  a  good  offing, 
we  shortened  sail  and  stood  down  the  coast ;  it  being 
the  intention  of  Captain  W.  to  look  in  at  the  port  of 
Huasco,  a  distance  of  about  ninety  miles  from  the  last 
port.  Being  aware  that  information  would  be  given  by 
the  captain  of  the  Spanish  ship,  on  his  arrival  at  Callao, 
of  the  character  and  object  of  our  ship,  it  became  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  us  to  act  with  the  greatest  caution, 
because  the  Spanish  authorities,  no  doubt,  would  issue 
orders  to  every  seaport,  town  on  the  coast  to  have  us 
intercepted,  and  cut  off,  if  possible ;  and,  knowing,  too, 
that  there  were  Spanish  men-of-war  lying  in  the  port  of 
Callao,  it  was  highly  probable  that,  as  soon  as  informa- 
tion was  received,  they  would  be  sent  out  in  search  of  us. 

April  17.  —  Stood  in,  and  made  the  land  twenty  miles 
to  the  south wai'd  of  Huasco.  Ai  11  A.  M.,  being  close  in 
shore,  we  ran  down  until  the  port,  or  rather  roadstead, 
hove  in  sight.  When  off  this  roadstead,  -^  for  it  can 
scarcely  be  called  a  harbor,  —  a  boat  was  manned  to 
sound,  and  land,  if  practicable.  It  was  ascertained  that 
the  anchorage-ground  was  in  very  deep  water,  and  from 
the  heavy,  rolling  swell  constantly  setting  in,  the  surf 
ran  exceedingly  high,  and  broke  at  a  great  distance  from 
the  beach,  which  made  it  difficult  for  a  boat  to  land, 
without  the  risk  of  upsetting  and  the  loss  of  life.  No 
communication  with  the  shore  was  effected  at  this  time, 


LtrC    ON  THE    OCCAH. 


shrill 
Is,  up 

a  few 
mding 
offing, 
i  being 
port  of 
he  last 
yen  by 
Callao, 
iC  abso- 
;aution, 
id  issue 


yet  it  was  determined  to  run  the  ship  in  and  anchor ; 
which  was  done  about  a  mile  from  the  shore,  in  twenty 
fathoms  water.  Two  boats  were  despatched  to  eflect  a 
landing,  if  possible,  in  which  were  put  two  coils  of 
large  rope,  a  small  kedge-anchor  and  buoy,  and  also  a 
small  line.  When  sufficiently  near,  the  anchor  was  let 
go  outside  of  the  rollers,  with  one  end  of  the  large  rope 
made  fast  to  the  buoy,  and  the  small  line  was  bent  on  to 
the  other  end,  — so  that,  when  the  boat  effected  a  landing, 
the  large  rope  might  be  hauled  on  shore  and  made  fast. 
Watching  for  a  favorable  opportunity,  we  gave  way 
with  the  oars  on  the  top  of  a  heavy  roller,  which  broke 
at  a  little  distance  ahead  of  us ;  and  never  shall  I  forget 
the  huge,  black  mass  of  water  which  rose  up  a  short 
distance  astern  of  the  boat,  and  which  came  rolling  ou 
with  fearful  rapidity,  as  if  eager  to  swallow  up  the  boat 
and  her  crew.  "Give  way,  lads,  for  your  lives,"  shouted 
the  officer,  at  the  same  time  keenly  glancing  at  the 
monster  astern,  and  the  bow  of  the  boat,  alternately. 
"  Starboard  your  oars,  there ;  keep  her  head  on ;  give  way, 
my  boys ;  one  length  more,  and  we  are  safe !  "  At  that 
moment  a  noise  was  heard  like  the  falling  waters  of  a 
mighty  cataract ;  it  broke  about  ten  yards  astern,  dashing 
volumes  of  water  far  ahead  of  our  boat,  and  throwing  a 
great  quantity  on  board,  while  every  man  exerted  his 
utmost  strength  at  the  oar,  and  at  the  same  time  the 
coxswain,  with  great  skill  and  management,  kept  her  head 
on  —  the  surf  driving  her  with  the  utmost  velocity,  and 
the  next  minute  she  struck  the  beach.  We  jumi?  J  out 
immediately,  and  soon  hauled  the  boat  clear  of  tiiG  surf. 
The  landing  being  effected  without  accident,  we 
hauled  the  rope  on  shore,  and  made  it  secure ;  a  sig- 
nal was  then  made  to  the  boat  outside.  The  crew  got 
the  bight  of  the  rope  fore  and  aft  the  boat,  leading 
it  from  the  stern  over  the  scull-hole,  securing  the  fore 
part  with  a  stopper,  to  prevent  its  clipping  over  the  gun- 
wale. The  oars  were  then  laid  fore  and  aft,  and  the 
crew,  seizing  a  favorable  moment,  hauled  away  upon 
the  rope,  and  brought  the  boat,  in  great  style,  with  tho 


'««» 


^ 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


nipfdity  of  lightning,  to  the  beach.  We  were  now  joined 
by  thr*e  Spaniards,  from  whom  we  learned  that  our 
^rival  was  anticipated,  as  there  were  two  merchants 
from  the  interior  who  had  come  from  Coquimbo,  they 
having  got  to  the  latter  place  on  the  day  of  our  departure ; 
and  thinking  we  might  touch  at  Huasco,  proceeded  here 
with  all  despatch,  to  meet  us.  On  entering  the  town, 
our  appearance  created  much  curiosity  and  surprise; 
nevertheless,  we  were  treated  kindly,  and  every  assur- 
ance was  given  of  their  friendship,  as  well  as  the  proba- 
bility that  we  might  effect  large  sales.  It  was  necessary, 
however,  to  keep  a  strict  look-out,  and  despatch  our 
business,  being  aware  that,  in  a  few  days  at  most,  troops 
would  be  sent  to  the  different  ports  on  the  coast,  to  frus- 
trate our  trade,  and  to  cut  us  off.  The  day  having  worn 
away,  it  became  necessary  for  the  party  to  go  on  board, 
and  the  boats  were  accordingly  cleared  of  the  breakers 
without  accident,  as  before  stated,  bringing  the  two  mer- 
chants with  us.  We  lay  here  five  days,  making  as  good 
use  of  our  time  as  possible,  being  constantly  engaged  in 
bringing  off  specie  and  transporting  goods  to  the  shore. 
The  town  of  Huasco  is  situated  in  latitude  28°  26'  south, 
longitude  71°  15'  west.  There  are  about  five  and  twenty 
widely-scattered  huts,  presenting  a  most  uncomfortable 
appearance,  and  constructed  mostly  of  mud  and  brush, 
consisting  of  but  one  apartment;  consequently,  whole 
families  are  thrown  together,  without  distinction  of 
age  or  sex.  Ti-opical  fruits  are  here  in  abundance, 
but  vegetables  of  any  description  are  not  to  be  found ; 
lind  the  reason  is,  simply,  because  labor  and  industry 
are  required  for  their  cultivation.  The  Spaniards  on  this 
coast,  particularly,  are  proverbially  indolent.  Nature 
seems  to  have  been  lavish  in  her  bounties  towards  them, 
and  has  thus  made  provision  against  their  constitutional 
defect. 


PM^.-")i 


niAifpic  < 

lARDS  - 
I  Ot  THE 

April  \ 
one  of  t 
break  off 
a  strong  d 
Coquimbc 
hourly.    J 
having  m^ 
men  into 
therefore, 
der  way  < 
expected,  i 
in  referenci 
the  hazaro 
every  day, 
mined  fearl 
the  voyage 
between  Ct 
not  be  the 
elude  the  vj 
doubt,  be  kc 
determined  i 
that,  to  pro 
Island,  whicj 
,  hne.     The  d 
Copiapo,  we 
v^%  that  it  W( 
'   April  25. 
Point  Negra. 
7 


^, 


65 


AFTER   VI. 


>r 


TRAVFtC  ON  THE  COAST  CONTINUED TREACHERT  OF  THU  SPAN- 

lARDS  —  SAIL  FOR  THE    OALLIPAUOS    ISLANDS DESCRIPTION 

OF  THEM. 

April  22.  —  This  day,  we  received  information  from 
one  of  the  Spanish  merchants  which  obliged  us  to 
break  off  our  communication  with  the  shore.  It  seems, 
a  Strong  detachment  of  soldiers  had  been  despatched  from 
Coquimbo  to  this  place,  and  were  expected  to  arrive 
hourly.  He  also  stated  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  town, 
having  made  all  their  purchases,  intended  to  decoy  our 
men  into  the  village,  and  seize  our  boats.  It  being, 
therefore,  hazardous  to  venture  on  shore,  we  grot  un- 
der way  on  the  23d,  and  stood  out  to  sea.  As  we 
expected,  information  was  rapidly  spread  along  the  coast 
in  reference  to  the  character  of  our  ship ;  consequently, 
the  hazard  and  difficulty  of  trading  became  greater 
every  day,  and  the  utmost  caution,  with  the  most  deter- 
mined fearlessness,  was  necessary  to  effect  the  object  of 
the  voyage  on  this  coast.  A  consultation  was  now  held, 
between  Captain  W.  and  the  officers,  whether  it  might 
not  be  the  better  plan  to  run  far  to  leeward,  so  as  to 
elude  the  vigilance  of  the  Spaniards,  which  would,  no 
doubt,  be  kept  up  along  the  seaboard.  It  was,  however, 
determined  to  touch  at  one  or  two  places  more,  and,  after 
that,  to  proceed  either  to  the  leeward  or  the  Cocoss 
Island,  which  is  situated  a  little  to  the  southward  of  the 
line.  The  distance  being  small  from  the  last  port  to 
Copiapo,  we  concluded  not  to  touch  at  that  place,  know- 
ing that  it  would  be  hazardous  to  land.  .  -v 

April  25. — Made  the  land  between  Copiapo  and 
Point  Negra.  Stood  close  in,  saw  Point  Negra  at  1 1  A.  M.^ 
7 


.f 


66 


Lire  ON  itttz  octAit. 


and  discovered  a  few  huts  on  shore.  This  place  pre- 
sented no  shelter  whatever,  and  appeared  to  be  an  im- 
penetrable iron-bound  coast ;  nevertheless,  great  as  the 
difficulties  apparently  were,  two  boats  were  despatched 
to  reconnoitre,  and  effect  a  landing,  if  practicable.  The 
boat  duty  now  became  exceedingly  hazardous,  and  as 
much  elated  as  I  was  when  I  received  my  appointment 
as  bow-man  of  the  second  cutter,  yet,  what  with  the  surf, 
the  treachery  of  the  Sparnards,  and  the  great  distance 
we  had  oftentimes  to  pull,  damped  my  ardor,  and  at 
times  I  would  willingly  have  relinquished  toy  situation 
in  the  boat  for  the  more  secure  foothold  of  our  ship's 
deck.  Flinching,  however,  was  out  of  the  question; 
pride  revolted !  and  it  would  have  been  considered  great 
pusillanimity ;  besides,  I  should  have  been  a  butt  for  all 
the  seamen  on  board. 

But  to  return  —  we  pulled  in  shore,  and  for  a  long  time 
could  not  discover  any  place  to  land.  At  length  we  de- 
scried a  point  of  rocks  stretching  out  a  'ittle  distance 
from  ihe  shore,  to  the  southward  of  which  an  entrance 
was  perceived,  like  a  small  cove.  We  pulled  in  without 
hesitation,  and  found,  to  our  great  joy,  a  safe  and  easy 
landing-place.  We  were  met  on  the  beach  by  two 
Spaniards,  mounted  on  horses,  and,  although  not  in 
uniform,  yet  they  appeared  like  soldiers,  having  a  brace 
of  pistols  in  their  holsters.  As  there  were  fourteen  of 
us,  and  all  well  armed,  we  did  not  fear  them,  although 
every  precaution  was  taken  by  us  to  prevetit  surprise. 
From  these  two  men  we  learned  that  they  had  received 
information  of  the  ship  when  she  lay  at  Huasco,  and 
seemed  to  be  perfectly  well  acquainted  with  her  charac* 
ter.  They  expressed  a  wish  to  trade,  and  invited  us  up  j 
to  the  village;,  which  invitation  was  declined. 

We  returned  to  the  ship,  and  Captain  W.  thought  it 
most  prudent  not  to  land  unless  some  of  the  Spaniards 
could  be  prevailed  with  to  come  on  board.  The  next 
day,  two  boats  were  despatched  under  command  of  Mr. 
C,  third  officer.  On  approaching  the  shore,  paveral 
Spaniards  were  in  waiting  on  the  beach;  no  indication 


"«    OK   THE    0C,4„.  „ 

or  treacherv  or  hostil.M, 

»  th"  all  prospect  o?a„chori,f^^  '""S""*^  '"«  ''"^^ 
having  ehese  two  Soan  -rH       ^.'""^  «  m  end-     No,t 
■«  landing,    Which  Cftete"",''''^;''!  '^^  h*"  '««»  W 

From".he  ■infor^,Ln'';!;e  "hf d""*"'  °"'  "  *«  offing 

- '"^»h  tv^;;r-T.^ -^^^^ 

on  the  loot-out  fo"?Lshr'TT'"°''  *"""■  no  do^te 

iiirtie  of  the  most  delicio...  t.    j     "  ^hounded  in  sea 
P'ns,  -vhich  «rere  said  o  ^rL  .'"''  ^-  '"«"  ^  'and-"eC 
*«''  w-aa  set,  and  we  s,1pS      '°  *"  "nmense  size.     In 
westward  for  these  I  aTds     S^  4"  "^  """hw^d  a^i     ^ 
appropriately  named,  ^  i,  j,  I^«  ^'^.'Ae  Ocean  is  ve^ 
of  the  weather,  and  7h»  ^  '^'n^-'^able  for  the  serenitT 
«nds,f,om  the  ,^,^le  3ooT!f'"P'*''  -""^e   onhl 
fi«t  made  the  landTbo  .t  r.,!      '"°  "'''  '"'«•    Since  we 
entlime,  we  had  o'e  ct^i,  ?T'"''>y  ™til  the Vs! 
a"d  perfectly  smooth  sea    S      '"""'  "^  «'«  weafher 

the  liberty,  no.  haWngS^.^'^ .f  r""^^' '  ^""'l  ''ere  tafca 
l^h  on  board  of  our  fhlr    ft  tt',l  '"  '''^"'"'  «  Sab! 

'P-    It  was  the  constant  practice, 


lis  ? 


Lire    ON   THE    OCEAK. 


since  we  left  the  United  States,  to  devote  Saturday  to 
the  repairing  and  washing  of  our  clothes,  as  well  as  to 
cleansing  the  forecastles  thoroughly,  getting  up  all  the 
chests,  &c.,  for  the  purpose  of  ventilation.  This  rule 
was  established,  so  that  there  might  be  no  unnecessary 
work  on  the  Sabbath  day.  On  Sunday,  every  man  on 
board  was  mustered,  and  examined  as  to  the  cleanliness 
of  his  person  and  •  lo::ing.  After  inspection,  it  was  the 
usual  custom  of  C  tptain  W.  to  give' some  wholesome  ad- 
vice relative  to  the  observance  of  morals,  and  to  the 
keeping  of  that  day  particularly.  Although  there  was 
such  a  variety  of  character  on  board,  yet  every  man 
respected  Captain  W.,  and  therefore  his  advice  was  well 
received,  and  his  orders  implicitly  obeyed.  The  monot- 
ony of  a  sea  life  is  more  deeply  felt  on  Sunday  than  on 
any  other  day,  and  this  was  strictly  the  case  in  our  ship. 
With  a  large  crew,  the  duty  restricted  to  watch  and 
watch,  of  course  there  was  much  spare  time ;  conse- 
quently, it  was  absolutely  requisite  that  the  men  should 
have  employment,  as  well  as  new  scenes  of  excitement, 
in  order  that  this  long  voyage  might  pass  away  agree- 
ably. Yet  on  the  Sabbath  day  at  sea,  when  no  work 
is  going  on,  and  nothing  to  excite  one  but  the  dull 
round  of  ship  duty,  time  passes  very  heavily.  It  would 
have  been  a  curious  spectacle  for  a  landsman,  to  have 
seen  the  occupation  of  the  crew  during  the  Sabbath 
day.  On  one  side  of  the  forecastle  might  be  seen 
some  engaged  in  painting  vessels,  landscapes,  &,c. ;  on 
the  other  were  a  group  writing  their  journals ;  while 
a  third  set  were  learning  navigation,  taught  by  a  young 
shipmate  who  had  graduated  at  Cambridge.  There, 
too,  were  the  old  salts,  covering  their  hats,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  making  them  weather-proof  tarpaulins,  or  graft- 
ing beckets  for  their  chests;  and  by  the  serious  coun- 
tciances  of  another  group,  who  sat  reading  the  Bible, 
you  might  have  supposed  that  they  had  received  early 
religious  impressions.  Throughout,  the  utmost  har- 
mony and  good-will  prevailed,  and  thus  the  day  passed 


1 


off  wi 
most  ii 
We 
fine  wc 
who  w 
the  priv 
cers,  an 
betweer: 
servatioi 
proved  t 
May 
eight  or 
up  with 
touch  at 
May 
hof"  wa 
the  island 
my  dead 
was  thirty 
north-wesi 
tion.     As 
particle  of 
of  having  \ 
took  in  the 
io  come  t( 
at  the  nort 
with  the  sn 
holding  groi 
beach.     Th 
beach  in  th 
«ntil  the  ne: 
May  11.- 
light,  and  si 
of  making  tw 
turtle.     We  i 
tations,  havin 
and  as  many 
size,  weighinj 
found  consid< 
7# 


,p 


^IP*:    ON   THE    OCEAN. 

off  With  some  nleas-n#...,    u  " 

mo^Jistless  apathy.  ^     ^'  ^"^  *^  '"^ny  others  with  the 

fin«  ^e^^Slrbr^z^i"  ^^«  "^^h-west,  with 
who  were  enRaeed   in  1/  **"""S^  ^he  passaee      iiT 

the  privilege  ofTsfng  u/et^a^n/""-  °^^~ns  W 
cers,  and  this  was  the  first  tfr^eh^S'""?'"^  ^«  *h«  offi- 
between  the  sun  and  moon      4^^*^  ^^'^^^  a  distance 
semfon,  I  shaped  a  course  for  pf  u  ^"^^^"^  "P  the  o^ 
proved  to  be  tolerably  cor^,,',?*'^*^^^  Island,  wh^ch 

.  f  «y  9,  --Nothing^ma  erial  ot'"  ^'.'"^'^^  ^^^  i^K 
eight  or  nine  days      W^Z      ^^^^^''ed  during  the  laT/ 

"P  with  the  GallLgos  llnH  ^^""^  ^^''^^elves^raVi^ar 
touch  at  Ohatham.^^     ^'^^"^^'  «"^  ^^ject  being  St? 

1.0 .' "  was  again  s„„go«  VmmTht°'"'  f  ""-^  "^  "  Land 
(he  island  to  which  we  h»  ?  J  *  mast-head.  This  wm 
ray  dead  reckoning  1  fo  ^,^^  f 'P""  °"  conrae.  p^^ 
was  thirty  miles  o^'of  ketl'T  'T"  -"^e'vaC 
north-west,  distant  ten  leaRues^„J-^"/'*"'"'°'-«n""h- 
"o».     As  we  drew  nish    w«  .!;  ,/  "  °^  """derate  clova- 

P«rt.cle  of  shr,.bberr  Every  "hi""'  •*'"'=^''«  ««nlte 
of  having  undergone  a  volcl^i.    ^  ""'"  ""«  appeaiaifce 

>»  come  to  in  Sieoh/n",  ff®'^""'"^  were  being  made 
at  the  north-east  Sr  A^'  Z*''"''  'Gorily  ?  "3 
with  the  small  borer  ■„  ,e,  S'"*''  '™''  '«  "Kr 
holding  ground,  about  hrle  fo^^fhTf '"""''  '^">'  good 
beach.  The  turtle  beingfo^ 'j't  ^  ""«  '"'■•"»  'he 
teach  in  the  moruins  i?  w"  j""""^  plentiful  on  the 
m^the  next  day    ^'      ''^  d«"ei'nined  not  to  la,rf 

i^Ms]7ty"':^^:;^:,rj-^«^^^  "-ir  -'  <«  -Jay- 

of  making  two  partiV-a,  on"  to  ?ak,T'     ■  "^  ***  »««n"oa         ' 
"Hie.     We  succeeded  beyo^  o^?/!"*'""'  ""d  'he  other 
'atjons,  having  taitei,  upwards  o?**"'  ?"«""'«  «*Pec- 
aixJ  as  many  ,erra|,i„,  s^me  o?  w^h  '' ^"«  '"^e  tur.le, 
«^e  weighing  from  .  fiyTo  .hrLh    ^  ^T'"  »''i™»iH,se 
^ound  eonsidetable  ^^^Xln  ^^X,7:tr.S 


I 


70 


LIVE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


■i!  ' 


not  only  on  account  of  their  size,  but  also  from  their 
color,  which  bore  exactly  the  same  appearance  as  the 
ground,  a  dark  brown,  and  which  oftentimes  eluded 
the  vigilance  of  the  keenest  eye.  We  remained  in  this 
place  four  days,  driring  which  time  we  caught  150  turtle. 
and  succeeded  in  getting  on  board  170  terrapir.  Oar 
object  in  coming  to  these  islands  was  not  only  to  evade 
the  vigilance  of  the  Spanish  authorities,  but  to  ge-t  a 
supply  of  turtle  and  water.  After  the  most  diligent 
search,  no  water  was  to  be  found  on  this  island.  As 
before  stated;  such  was  the  steriJity  of  the  soil,  that  not 
a  single  tree  was  to  be  seen,  and  it  seemed  a  mystery 
how  the  terrapin  could  subsist  on  this  barien  spot  — 
unless  it  was  on  the  low  prickly  pear  bushes,  w'  \"!h 
were  tho  only  sign  of  vegetation  we  saw  on  thr;  island. 
As  we  wer?)  in  no  luirry  to  return  to  the  coast,  it  was 
determined  to  go  to  some  of  the  other  islands  to  procure 
wood  and  water. 

Chatham  island  is  situated  in  the  parallel  of  60'  south 
latitude,  and  89°  20'  west  longitude.  The  bay,  or  har- 
bor, is  commodious  and  safe,  with  good  anchorage  ;  and 
as  it  is  situated  nearly*  under  the  equinoctial  line,  calm 
weather  prevails,  with,  however,  occasional  squalls  of 
wind  and  rain,  of  short  duration,  and  less  severe  than 
within  the  tropic  of  Cancer. 

Mai/  16.  -^  Got  under  way  and  stood  to  sea,  our  inten- 
tion being  to  run  for  James  Island.  The  wind  being 
light,  we  did  not  make  it  until  the  20th,  at  9  A.  M.  Ran 
close  in  to  the  leeward,  and  anchored  in  twenty  fathoms, 
the  shore  presenting  a  fiii«,  long,  sandy  beach,  on  which 
we  landed  with  our  boats  without  any  difficulty. 

James  Island  is  situated  in  12'  south  latitude,  and  90^ 
41'  west  longitude,  and  although  not  so  large  as  Chat- 
ham, yet  in  its  soil  it  is  similar  in  many  parts  of  the 
island^  but  on  the  south  side,  vegetation  is  more  abun- 
dant. Here,  again,  we  were  doomed  to  disappointment; 
no  water  was  to  be  found,  after  a  search  of  j^ve  days ; 
but  we  caught  a  few  fl(ve  turtle,  and  {irocured  a  quantity 
of  brushwoods      Terrapin  was  nowhere  to  be  found 


;i 


■5 


As  w< 

calcula 

to  beat 

port  of 

procure 

Captain 

the  pros 

we  stoo( 

keeping 

we  migh 

wind  fa 

parallel  c 

winds,  ai 

the  south 

procured 

only  on  a 

of  our  sal 

important 

|)e  prolong 

in  these  1 

practicable 

locks,  was 

pickle  for  t 

sun  to  dry. 

substitute  ] 

first  cured 

hard,  and  Ic 

supply  of  t 

delicious,  aij 

Pany  for  thn 

niou  as  pea  j 

heef.     The  i 

*>e  procured, 

and  will  liv< 

proof  of  this, 

greater  part  o 

Jhem  as  occa 

{*f'^^ed  unril  at 

Whea  prepare! 


):    1 


^'J-B   ON   THE    oCEAIf.  ^ 

As  we  had  been  no    i  ^^ 

calculating  , ha,  i»;':^'/»™omh  from  the  coast,  and 
(0  beat  up  ,0  wi„d«rard    T.    Z™"'  •^"  •"  fi^'een  da^, 
pCul  ^™'''  -'""'Wie7i„""',&';""  being  "or  S 
,      procure   water   on   the<».   il\    j      *"  '^""her  efforts  in 
Captam  W.  deemed  it  « Jnl""''*    *<">'<»   be   fru"w 
'he  prosecution  of  our  trZ     ^  "'i^'«««<'  forthZhTu 
^^  ».«ood  to  sea,  endeavoring  Accordingly,  „„  ,he  25th 
keeping  the  best  taclc,  to  work  ^^  T"^  "'  P^^-iWe,  by 

™<is,andtrdVon1h:lar'^  -""t;^': 

•he  southward.     ThetlL  J,  i''""''  'acJc,  standing  to 

o7v"oT'a"' ''''''*''«™  '"'»"Vp^  :r^^^    -"ich  we^Ld 
oniy  on  account  of  th^ir  ^  i-  ^'^"^®"  of  great  valriP  ««* 
of  our  sal,  provisTonl'"'^,^  L^^' b"' rhe  consump.ro^' 
mportance,  as  we  expecT^  i!.??*^'  "»  <"'J««  of  ZTt 
J*  prolonged,  and  no'^'^J"^"'^  °»  'he  coast  w^d 
»  'hese  latitudes  and  be  n,^     V"'"^  ''^  »«'•«<»  dow,. 
PT"cabIe,  when  vrepri^^""^-    .^he  only  method 
locks,  was  to  cut  the  ml,^*  ^'P'»^  supply  of  b„l 

p.cWe  for  two  or  th^'e  day    tui"'.^''V'"'^'  P"'  *■  '  ■" 
sun  to  drv      Th.o  ;      ,*/**>  and  then  hanj»  it  ,\^  •     . 

™hs,i,...7for^^;  ;j  ^^o-^-^'W  i-ked^bLVVgo'o': 

fira  cured;  but  when    t^     ^^'P^^'ally  whe ,   .f  j, 

hard  and  loses  much  of      '«   "''''  "  l^oomes  dry  and 

J'PPjr  of  turtle  was  noTonw'"'""^  "'"riment.  ^S 

■f^hcoos,  and  affo„led7iLh  ^  '^"aWe,  but  rare  and 

^ny  for  three  months ;  Ser.u^l'^"'  ""■  ^""P'^  "Z". 

Tef  V^  '""P  '•  «"d  terrapin  Z  ,  '""P  T'^  "^  oom- 
fef-     The  terrapin  is  the  itv,  r    ,  ^^  ""'e''  so  as  saU 
,  .'^  P'°'.;"«d,  becauselhey  ar^.f *!^  f »  stock  thw  S , 

CofZf'J'"  '"'  """'hs  withTu';'^"""'  """W 
proof  of  this,  as  soon  as  thev  »         V^  or  water,     r,, 

greater  part  of  ,hem  down^i  ^T  '?'"'"•  *«  ^'o'-ed  the 


m 


?2 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


the  former.  We  continued  beating  to  windward,  with 
fresh  breezes  from  south-east.  All  hands  being  in  fine 
spirits,  and  under  a  good  state  of  discipline,  we  were  pre- 
pared again  to  engage  in  our  business  on  the  coast,  and 
did  not  fear  an  attack  from  an  open  enemy  of  superior 
force. 

June  10.  —  During  the  preceding  days,  nothing  re- 
markable occurred,  and  every  advantage  of  the  change 
of  wind  was  taken.  We  found  ourselves,  by  observation, 
in  latitude  18°  south,  and  longitude  76°  west,  being  far 
to  the  eastwaid  of  Arica.  Laid  the  ship  on  the  starboard 
tack,  the  wind  being  at  south-ea;:it,  and  stood  in  for  the 
land. 

June  11.  —  The  wind  hauled  to  south-south-east, 
which  enabled  us  to  make  an  east  course  good,  and  every 
sail  was  set  that  could  draw  on  a  wind. 

June  13.  —  At  daylight,  "Land  ho!  "  was  sung  out 
from  the  mast-head,  our  latitude  being  now^  by  calcula- 
tion, 18°  15  south,  and  longitude  70°  50'  west.  Stood 
in,  and  saw  the  port  of  Arica.  A  consultation  was  now 
held  by  the  captain  and  olficers  as  to  the  best  mode  of 
procedure,  as  we  had  previous  information  that  there 
was  a  small  fort  in  that  place.  It  was  determined  to 
run  in,  and  anchor  the  ship  in  a  position  so  that  our 
broadside  could  hear  upon  the  fort,  as  well  as  to  cover 
our  men  in  landing. 

Entering  the  harbor,  with  the  American  colors  fly- 
ing, we  were  saluted  by  the  fort  with  tht:  Spanish 
flag.  All  the  boats  were  now  hoisted  out,  the  launch 
having  two  swivels  mounted  in  her  bow,  and  the  pin- 
nace one;  the  remaining  boats  were  all  well  armed; 
the  number  of  men  in  this  expedition  was  fifty,  under 
the  command  of  Mr.  C,  second  officer,  assisted  by  the 
third  ofiicer.  Orders  were  given  by  Captain  W.  for  one 
boat  to  land  with  the  interpreter,  and  the  others  to  I 
remain  a  small  distance  from  the  beach,  so  that,  in  the| 
event  of  an  attack,  the  ship  could  play  upon  the  fort, 
while  the  expedition  on  shore  was  to  repel  any  force! 
which  might  come  agamst  them.     All  being  now  ready, 


the  boi 

respond 

ing  the 

account 

windwa 

which  1 

great  for 

agreed  i 

remained 

certed  si| 

boats,  vv 

landing 

Spaniards 

soon  asce 

ceive  us  \ 

the  same 

On  the  qi 

place  mad 

between  h 

let  us  obta 

under  the 

These  a 

ship  — not, 

the  fort,  an 

risoned.     H 

W.,  an  exf 

Our  water-£ 

with  a  SR12 

roost  arduoi 

had  ascertai 

garrisoned  b 

what  numbe 

Was  necessa 

nearly  to  the 

yards  from  w 

to  be  made, 

The  boats  \j 

pinnace,  whi 

These  prepaj 


II 


Lire    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


73 


the  boats  shoved  off,  cheered  by  those  on  board,  and 
responded  to  by  the  crews  of  the  boats.  On  approach- 
ing the  shore,  we  found  some  difficulty  in  landing,  on 
account  of  the  surf;  although  not  so  heavy  as  that  to 
windward,  yet  it  presented  an  obstacle  to  those  boats 
which  were  ordered  to  lie  off,  the  distance  being  too 
great  for  the  small  arms  to  have  effect.  It  was,  however, 
agreed  that  one  boat  should  land,  while  the  others 
remained  outside  the  rollers,  and,  if  necessary,  a  precon- 
certed signal  was  to  be  given  by  those  on  shore  to  the 
boats,  When  they  were  immediately  to  pull  in.  The 
landing  was  effected,  and  we  were  met  by  several 
Spaniards,  some  of  whom  wore  a  dirty  uniform,  whom  we 
soon  ascertained  to  be  soldiers.  They  appeared  to  re- 
ceive us  very  courteously,  and  inquired  if  this  was  not 
the  same  ship  that  was  at  Huasco  two  months  since. 
On  the  question  being  evaded,  the  commandant  of  the 
place  made  his  appearance,  when  a  conversation  ensued 
between  him  and  the  interpr<^: .r,  in  which  he  agreed  to 
let  us  obtain  a  supply  of  water,  and  carry  on  our  trade, 
under  the  proviso  of  a  pretty  large  bribe  to  himself. 

These  arrangements  being  made,  we  returned  to  the 
ship  —  not,  however,  until  we  ascertained  the  strength  of 
the  fort,  and  the  number  of  men  with  which  it  was  gar- 
risoned. This  intelligence  being  conveyed  to  Captain 
W.,  an  expedition  was  prepared  on  the  following  day. 
Our  water-casks  in  tow,  we  repaired  to  the  shore,  and, 
with  a  small  line,  hauled  our  casks  to  the  beach.  A 
most  arduous  duty  was  now  before  us.  Although  we 
had  ascertained  the  fort  mounted  but  four  guns,  and  was 
garrisoned  by  only  twenty  men,  yet  we  did  not  know 
what  number  might  be  concealed  in  the  village,  and  it 
was  necessary  that  the  water-casks  should  be  rolled  up 
nearly  to  the  entrance  of  the  town,  about  five  hundred 
yards  from  where  we  landed.  The  trial,  however,  was 
to  be  made,  even  if  we  should  fail  in  the  attempt. 
The  boats  were  then  all  ordered  on  shore,  except  the 
pinnace,  which  was  to  remain  to  haul  the  casks  off. 
These  preparations  being  made,  we  immediately  pro^ 

<5 


7*^1 


74 


LIFE    O.'   THE    OCEAN. 


oeeded  to  roll  the  casks  to  the  watering-place,  and,  with- 
out any  hinderaiice  whatever,  the  whole  number  were 
filled,  hauled  off  to  the  pinnace,  and  slung.  The  com- 
mandant expressing  a  desire  to  visit  the  ship,  two  boats 
were  des|)atched  to  tow  off  the  water,  and  take  him  on 
board,  while  the  others  remained  at  a  little  distance  from 
the  shore.  In  this  manner  we  proceeded,  until  our 
watering  was  finished.  We  also  obtained  here  a  con- 
siderable quantity  of  yams,  and  some  tropical  fruit. 

Our  friend  the  commandant,  receiving  his  bribe,  and 
taking  a  good  survey  of  the  ship,  departed  with  the  prom- 
ise to  assist  us  in  the  prosecution  of  our  trade.  Many 
small  presents  were  sent  on  shore,  and  distributed 
among  the  soldiers  and  inhabitants,  which  served  greatly 
to  secure  their  friendship.  We  remained  here  two 
weeks,  during  which  period  some  heavy  sales  were  made; 
but,  as  usual,  when  the  Spaniards  had  effected  their  pur- 
pose, and  secured  all  they  couU'  screw  out  of  us,  evi- 
dent signs  of  treachery  were  observed,  which  roused 
our  suspicions,  when  no  more  communication  was  held 
with  the  shore. 

June  28.  —  At  8  A.  M.,  got  under  way,  and  when  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  anchorage,  we  had  positive  proof 
that  our  suspicions  of  the  treachery  of  the  Spaniards 
were  not  ill  founded,  for  we  were  saluted  by  a  shot  from 
the  fort,  which  fell  a  little  short  of  us.  Not  caring  to 
waste  powder  and  ball  upon  these  miscreants,  we  took 
no  notice  of  the  tendered  favor. 

The  port  of  Arica  lies  in  the  parallel  of  18°  27'  south, 
79^  19'  west.  It  affords  no  shelter  except  from  the  east- 
north-east  winds,  which  seldom  blow.  The  anchorage  is 
from  eighteen  to  twenty-five  fathoms  water,  with  sandy 
bottom,  where  vessels  may  ride  in  safety,  the  weather 
being  perpetually  good.  The  town  of  Arica,  as  before 
stated,  has  a  rudely-constructed  fort,  of  but  little  im- 
portance. This  town,  or  village,  consists  of  about 
twenty  or  thirty  buildings,  or  huts,  which  are  neither 
wind-tight  nor  water-tight.  This,  to  be  sure,  is  of  little 
importance,  because  the  weather  is  uniformly  warm,  and  | 
it  seldom  rains  in  these  latitudes. 


Aric 

mediat 

distant 

of  the 

and  de 

which  I 

except 

the  int< 

the  exc< 

that  not 


mediate  Peru'  ^u  J?'^"  ^  -Arequipa  the  cani(»l  „c  r 
distant  forty  lea«..  '"T^^  «"'-north!eMt  f^^!"*"'* 
«t  the  high  3, ''•""* '»  *««•"'  of  a^"LT^  ^"«"' 

except  mules.    The  1,^  l°"«"»I»«ation' orb„Xn 
Ihe  interior  it  i.  „  '       .  "*  exceedinalv  b»rr-„      ?' 

'he  e:.cep,ion  of  .hrvln"""""?  ""^  "^^y.^^L^^ 


#^ 


"O 


"mi 


At 


MAW    76       <a  vmj 


CHAPTER  Vll. 


INFORMATION  OF  TUB  CAPTURE   OF   A   BOSTON   SHIP  BY   A   SPAN* 
'     ISH   CRUISER-— AN   ATTEMPTED  CAPTURE   OF  OUR    BOATS   DE* 

^     FEATED PORT  OP   I8LAY NEWS  OP   A  SPANISH   CRUISER  — 

DESCRIPTION   OF   A   HURRICANE SEVERE    ENGAGEMENT. 

We  continued  our  course  to  leeward,  during  the  night, 
under  short  sail,  calculating  to  be  close  in  with  the  port 
of  Ilo  at  daylight.    In  the  morning,  ran  in  and  anchored 
in  the  roadstead,  in  thirty  fathom  water.     Nothing  pre- 
sented itself  to  cause  alarm,  as  there  were  only  about 
eight  or  ten  houses,  or  huts,  that  could  be  perceived ; 
consequently  we  had  nothing  to  fear,  except  it  might 
be  a  force  from  Arica.     Here  we  had  no  difficulty  in 
landing,  as  there  was  but  little  surf;  a  ledge  of  rocks 
which  lay  off  a  short  distance  from  the  beach  broke 
the  heavy  swell.     When  we  landed,  having  taken  the 
same  precautions  as  usual,  the  inhabitants,both men  and 
women,  came  down  to  the  beach,  and  among  them  was 
an  Irishman,  whose  appearance  indicated  a  person  of 
some  distinction.     From  him  we  learned  that  the  ship, 
Belle  Sauvage,  of  Boston,  had  been  captured  about  three 
weeks  before  by  a  Spanish  cruiser,  and  sent  into  Callao. 
We  knew  that  the  Belle  Sauvage  was  bound  to  the  north- 
west coast,  and  it  was  probable  she  had  touched  here  to 
dispose  of  part  of  her  cargo,  which  supposition  was  con- 
firmed by  the  Irishman,  who  informed  us  that  she  was 
captured  in  Arica.     It  was  no  mystery  to  us  why  we 
were  kept  in  ignorance  of  the  circumstance  when  there, 
they  probably  hoping  we  should  meet  a  similar  fate. 
This  Irishinan  expressed  a  great  desire  to  make  purchas- 
es from  us,  stating  that  he  was  a  merchant,  and  had  been 
a  resident  of  Arequipa  some  years.     We  returned  to  the 
ship  with  him,  when  he  negotiated  with  Captain  W.  for 
n  large  amount  of  merchandise,  which  was  immediate* 


ly  ma 

ashore 

bringir 

goods 

several 

was  a  s 

tirmed  ; 

interprei 

stock,  a 

This  wa 

with  thij 

the  boat 

beach ;  &( 

interprefe 
board."' 

"^vhen  the 

hands,  anc 

fflan,   crea 

'ards;  in  t 

our  boat,  i 

fhe  muske 

tion ;  and  j 

cation  witl 

July  7,  - 

was  now  < 

situation  be 

sequence  of 

our  future  o 

conclusion 

south-wester 

then  to  run 

P^an,  we  shoi 

'and,  and  at 

Stood  in,  anc 

Islay  can  s 

shelter  whatc 

which  are  bn 

seaward  abou 

|«ast  and  wesi 

8 


«-I»«!   ON   IBE   ociil,. 


m 


A  SPAN" 
IAT8  DE> 
17ISER  — 
BNT. 

3  night, 
he  port 
ichored 
ing  pre- 
r  about 
ceived  ; 
;  might 
ulty  in 
»f  rocks 
1  broke 
fen  the 
len  and 
em  was 
rson  of 
tie  ship, 
Lit  three 
Callao. 
B  north- 
here  to 


ly  made  rjadv  fnr  a^i- 

bringing  the  amount  of  hi      '  '"'"  '•ox™  he  mL^Ji 
goods  were  lanSeS  s^elv    T*""^*  '"  'P^^    %t 

was  a  spy.     The  next  daiT  th     ^'''  ^'''akened  that  h« 
firmed ;  for,  while  one  of^h'  .  ^  ""picions  «,"«!„ 
'"•erpreter,  endeavoriL'^'tiT'' ,«•»»  "n  sho«  "^h ^Z" 
our  boat.  whpr«  oii         *''"icn  we  succeedfiH  ;«      ^P^n- 
.he  mnsU~' °"\"'"«fe«»  werestow^   o n*!!"™* 

'ion;  and  ,hu?e„ded;f;,H'^»'«'<J' fled  "'hpSa* 
ca-ion  with  Ho.  ""^  ""'  "''''enture  and  the  comZl^: 

'as"now  ceShf,""'''""--  ""''  ''""'d  ""t  to  sea      I. 
situation  became  m„re'.^.'^f  ^PP^aehed  CalC' „ 
sequence  of  w^fch  Zt  J'"^  """  ^^'Serons^  M 'c^^ 
ourfutnre  operations   '^SeZ.T  "'■•''"e™ine3  Tto 
conclusion  to  touch   ».  .k        "'  however,  came  .a  .k 

»».h.westerlyr:nVfiv^Xru"  °/  ''''''^'  ^hU  it 
'fen  to  ran  far  to  leewL      i  *'  *««"«  from  Ho,  aid 

plan,  we  shortened  sa,TS„  tJ    ««-=ordance  with  tWs 
'and,  and  at  nine  A.  M.  J,  "ih  '  "'f*"'  "^  elose  to  the 
S'o<Hl  in,  and  anchored  'in   hir.v'fi"'^;  l*"*  P°«  of  I^ay 
I    felay  can  scarcely  be  calLrfh  */"'"'"'»  «^ter.     ' 
shelter  whnt^ir..  called  a  harbor,  as  ft  .»   ". 

H-«M  about  .hree';„U'^''„f^';;''„?^r'"'  •*''«°*4' 


78 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  shore,  running  north 
and  south,  distance  one  mile,  which  effectually  breaks 
the  surf,  that  rolls  in  with  iremendous  violence  oil  the 
other  parts  of  the  shore. 

Two  boats  were  manned,  armed,  and  despatched,  with 
orders  that  no  one  should  land  except  the  interpreter. 
On  approaching  the  beach,  we  saw  several   Spaniards 
awaiting  our  arrival.     No  appearance  of  treachery  was 
discerned  among  them»     The  interpreter  went  on  shore, 
and  held  a  consultation,  the  result  of  which  was,  that  a 
boat  was  to  be  sent  on  shore  the  next  morning  before 
daylight,  when   two  Spaniards  were  to  be  in  waiting 
with  specie,  to  repair  on   board  the  ship  to  make  pur- 
chases.    According  to  this  arrangement,  we  proceeded 
on  shore,  and  brought  them  off  with  their  specie.   From 
these   men   we   received   most   important   infonnation, 
namely,  that  an  armed  lugger  of  great  force,  mounting 
two  thirty-two  pounders  on  pivots,  and  eight  long  nines, 
with  a  complement  of  two  hundred   and    fifty  men, 
pierced  for  sixty  sweeps,  had  been  fitted  out  at  Callao, 
and  had  actually  sailed,  in  company  with  a  Spanish  sloop- 
of-war,  six  days  previous,  to  cruise  in  quest  of  us ;  and 
that  they  were  probably  then  hovering  near  by.     This 
news  created  universal  excitement  throughout  the  ship, 
especially  as  a  dead  calm  prevailed  ;  not  a  ripple  or  cat's- 
paw  was  visible  over  the  wide  waste  of  waiers.     The 
sun  shone  brilliantlv  on  the  broad  face  of  the  Pacific; 
the  ocean  presented  to  the  eye  a  smooth,  glassy  surface ; 
and  the  slumbering  deep,  always  portentous  of  a  coming 
storm,  especially   in  the  season   and  latitudes  of  the 
tornado,  >->  this  combination  of  circumstances  produced  a 
kind  of  secret  foreboding  among  the  crew  of  a  coming 
evil ;  it  was  not,  however,  a  dread  of  the  desolating 
hurricane,  so  much  as  a  fear  of  being  attacked  by  the 
enemy  in  the  night,  while  at  anchor  during  this  calm. 

Af  meridian,  the  cry  of  '  Sail  ho !  "  was  simultaneous* 
ly  heard  from  tlie  fore  and  main  royal-yards ;  hut  the  < 
stranger  was  at  so  great  a  distance  in  the  offing  that  her 
chamcter  could  not  be  ascertained  with  the  glass.     At| 


sunsc 

seen 

arrive 

in  the 

put  in 

called 

night ; 

silence 

roaring 

a  sea-, 

among 

foam. 

"Ge 
gun  wi 
of  an  1 
we  don' 
morrow. 
"Wh 
"Beci 
night  of 
not  folio 
years  ag( 
Vork,  bo 
sail  from 
such  a  ti 
Our  skip 
easy  in  h 
were  turn 
deck,  hou 
sails,  furle 
lashings  o 
the  useles! 
"  Throu 
and  the  lit 
we  saw  ofl 
under  its  w 
fed  as  a  ba 
up  in  the 
watch  on 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


79 


S 


sunset,  the  distance  being  shortened  between  us,  she  was 
seen  from  the  topsail-yard.  The  crisis  had  now  nearly 
arrived,  as  no  doubt  remained  but  that  the  strange  sail 
in  the  offing  was  an  enemy ;  consequently,  the  ship  was 
put  in  complete  readiness  for  action.  All  hands  were 
called,  with  orders  to  remain  at  quarters  during  the 
night ;  the  lights  were  extinguished,  and  a  profound 
silence  reigned,  which  was  only  interrupted  by  the 
roaring  surf  on  the  beach,  or  the  occasional  scream  of 
a  sea-gull,  which  in  vain  sought  its  nightly  repose 
among  the  rocks,  by  the  turbulence  of  the  dashing 
foam. 

"  George,"  said  an  old  salt,  who  was  stationed  at  the 
gun  with  me,  and  who  had  served  seven  years  on  board 
of  an  English  man-of-war,  "  I'll  miss  my  reck'ning,  if 
we  don't  have  some  play  with  these  shooting-irous  to^ 
morrow." 

"Why?"  said  I. 

"  Because,"  he  replied,  "  I  never  knew  such  a  day  and 
night  of  calm  as  this,  in  all  my  going  to  sea,  that  was 
not  followed  by  a  brush  or  a  storm  of  some  kind.  Two 
years  ago,  I  was  on  board  of  a  West  Indiaman,  out  of 
York,  bound  to  St.  Thomas  ;  and  when  about  two  dayi^ 
sail  from  the  island,  one  morning  it  fell  dead  calm — just 
such  a  time  as  we  have  had  to-day  for  all  the  world. 
Our  skipper,  an  old  trader,  did  not  seem  to  be  quite 
easy  in  his  mind  that  day ;  so  before  night  the  hands 
were  turned  up,  and  we  got  all  the  light  sppxs  down  on 
deck,  housed  the  top-gallant-mast,  close-reefed  the  top> 
sails,  furled  the  courses,  jib,  and  trysail,  got  preventer* 
lashings  on  the  boats  and  spars,  and  hove  overboard  all 
the  useless  lumber  from  the  deck. 

"  Throughout  the  night  it  remained  calm  as  a  clock, 
and  the  little  brig  lay  on  the  water  just  like  that  albatross 
we  saw  off  Cape  Horn  riding  over  the  sea,  with  its  head 
under  its  wing,  asleep.  In  the  morning,  the  sun  arose 
red  as  a  ball  of  fire,  and  very  soon  a  black  cloud  came 
up  in  the  north-north-east  quarter.  The  mate  had  the 
watch  on  deck,  and  called  the  old  skipper  up,  who 


{■  1 


I      \ 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAif. 


didn't  take  mvich  time  to  put  on  his  knee-buckles.  As 
soon  as  he  got  on  deck,  he  clapped  his  phiz  to  windward, 
which  looked  for  all  the  world  like  a  hard  north-wester.. 
The  cloud  soon  rose  and  passed  over  astern  of  us  to  the 
westward;  then,  pile  upon  pile,  they  showed  their  black 
heads  like  mountains  in  the  eastern  board.  'Clew  up 
the  main-topsail,'  shouted  the  captain,  *  lay  aloft  there, 
furl  the  sails,  clap  on  preventer-gaskets,  hook  on  the 
rolling  tackle,  bowse  it  taut,  and  secure  the  yard  :  — 
cheerily,  men ! ' 

"  We  sprung  aloft,  furled  the  topsail,  and  were  soon  on 
deck.  *  Away  forward,'  cried  he,  'clew  up  the  fore-top- 
sail, and  hand  it ;  bear-a-hand,  and  lay  down  off  the 
yard.' 

"Just  as  we  got  the  bunt  gasket  made  fast,  I  took 
a  squint  to  windward,  and,  sure  enough,  I  saw  it  a- 
coming ;  the  black  clouds  had  nearly  overspread  the 
heavens,  and  the  cold,  misty  rain  was  driving  along 
towards  us  by  the  violence  of  the  wind.  The  sea  rose, 
and  along  came  a  huge  mass  of  black  water,  which  I 
knew  very  well,  if  it  came  on  board,  would  swamp  the 
little  brig.  *  Lie  down  for  your  lives,'  shouted  the  cap- 
tain, *  and  come  aft ;  secure  yourselves,  every  man  of 
you ;  hard-a-port.' 

"Just  at  that  moment  the  violence  of  the  winds  struck 
us  a-beam,  and,  having  nothing  on  her  but  the  fore-top- 
nkast^taysail,  she  paid  off  before'  the  wind,  and  took 
the  heavy  rolling  sea  on  her  quarter,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  she  was  scudding  away  before  it,  at  the  rate 
of  eleven  knots. 

"The  next  hour,  it  blew  a  hurricane  ;  each  succeeding 
sea  grew  higher,  and  rolled  heavily  after  us  with  fearful 
rapidity,  as  if  driven  along  by  the  imp  of  darkness, 
eager  to  swallow  us  up  as  his  prey.  Just  then,  a  loud 
clap  of  thunder  rose  high  above  the  roaring  hurricane, 
and  a  sharp  flash  of  lightning  played  round  the  masts 
and  rigging,  like  a  blaze  of  fire  ;  it  came  from  the  north- 
west quarter.  '  Starboard  your  helm,  haul  in  the  lar- 
h>?ard  bead-l}race ! '  roared  out  the  old  skipper,  in  a  tone 


M 


»r:f 


-''»imimejaa»M,~MmMi; 


which 
ments  ; 
shifted 
struck  I 
heavy  ] 
part  of 
the  coun 
out  of 
combing 
who  was 
down 
never  for 
"  as  we  c 
heard  th< 
for  life  on 
a-going,  a 
ing  along 
he  shoute< 
of  the  ma 
as  well  as 
main-chan 
knife  and 
my  lads.' 
and  the  m 
the  fore-tor 
"  The  lit 
soon  began 
Sling  out,  * 
ing  the  waj 
free  her  fro] 
through  her, 
"  This  wi 
no  skulkers 
captain  dowi 
cleared,  she 
thing  swept 
^tick  stand iuj 
with  madden 
I  had  list) 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


81 


which  was  heard  distinctly  amid  the  contending  ele- 
ments ;  but  it  was  too  late :  the  hurricane  siiddenlv 
shifted  eight  points  into  the  north-western  board,  and 
struck  her  on  the  beam  ;  and  at  the  same  moment,  the 
heavy  rolling  sea  from  the  eastward  was  close  aboard, 
part  of  which,  as  she  lifted  her  stern,  tucked  her  under 
the  counter :  —  away  went  the  fore-topmast-staysail  clean 
out  of  the  bolt-ropes,  and  the  next  moment,  a  heavy 
combing  sea  fell  aboard,  throwing  poor  Jack  Evans, 
who  was  at  the  helm,  twenty  yards  from  the  brig,  and 
down  she  went  smack  on  her  beam-ends.  I  shall 
never  forget  that  scene,"  said  the  narrator  mournfully  ; 
"  as  we  clung  to  the  starboard  side  of  the  little  brig,  we 
heard  the  cries  of  poor  Jack,  and  saw  him  struggling 
for  life  on  the  top  of  a  sea.  This  sight  set  my  eye-pumps 
a-going,  and,  turning  away,  I  saw  the  old  skipper  crawl- 
ing along  towards  the  main-channels.  *  Follow  me  !  * 
he  shouted,  '  and  lend  a  hand  to  cut  away  the  lajiyards 
of  the  main-rigging.'  I  crept  along  the  side  after  him 
as  well  as  I  could,  and  we  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
main-channels.  '  Now,'  said  the  old  skipper,  '  a  sharp 
knife  and  a  clear  conscience  —  cut  away  the  lanyards, 
my  lads.'  We  both  fell  to ;  they  were  soon  cut  away, 
and  the  mainmast  went  by  the  board,  carrying  with  it 
the  fore-topmast  and  jib-boom. 

"  The  little  craft,  now  being  relieved  of  her  burden, 
soon  began  to  right,  which  the  old  man  perceiving,  he 
sung  out,  '  Thank  God,  my  lads,  she  rights ! '  and,  lead- 
ing the  way  himself,  shouted,  'Come  on,  my  boys!  let's 
free  her  from  these  sticks,  or  they  will  make  daylight 
through  her.' 

"  This  was  not  the  work  of  a  minute,  but  there  were 
no  skulkers  there  ;  every  man  did  his  duty,  from  the 
captain  down,  and  in  an  hour  and  a  Vialf  the  wreck  was 
cleared,  she  was  nearly  upright  on  her  bottom,  every 
thing  swept  clean  from  the  decks,  with  only  one  solitary 
3iick  standing,  driving  away  befi>re  the  terrific  hurricane, 
with  maddening  fury.     *  Sound  the  pumps  there.'  " 

I  had  listened  up  to  this  moment  with  breathless 


82 


LtfE    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


attention,  and  as  Joe  Green  progressed  in  this  exciting 
narration,  his  voice  became  distinctly  audible. 

"  Silence  there !  "  said  Mr.  L.,  our  first  officer,  who  had 
been  sweeping  round  the  horizon  with  his  night-glass, 
and  then,  addressing  Captain  W. : 

"  Yonder  is  a  sail,  sir,  on  our  larboard  quarter,  between 
lis  and  the  land." 

This  was  corroborated  by  the  second  and  third  offi- 
cers, who  in  their  turn  swept  the  horizon  with  the  night- 
glass. 

"  Lay  the  ship's  larboard  broadside  to  the  strange  sail 
with  the  spring,"  said  Captain  W. 

This  order  was  iiistanily  obeyed,  and  all  was  again 
quiet,  the  strange  sail  having  now  disappeared,  being 
shut  in  with  the  land. 

It  was  now  midnight;  the  Spaniard  had  completed 
his  purchases,  and  two  boats,  under  command  of  the 
third  officer,  were  despatched  with  him  and  his  mer- 
chandise —  with  orders  to  return  to  the  ship  as  speedily 
as  practicable. 

The  night  wore  away ;  and  at  the  dawn  of  day,  on  the 
10th,  we  discovered  that  the  officers  were  not  deceived. 
There  she  lay  inside  of  the  rocks,  her  hull  nearly  con- 
cealed from  our  deck,  exhibiting  to  our  view  nothing 
but  a  lugger's  spars.  We  now  began  to  realize  what  we 
so  mncli  dreaded,  being  within  gun-shot  of  the  enemy, 
in  a  dead  calm,  with  little  probability  of  crippling  him, 
and  no  chance  of  getting  out  of  hit  reach,  unless  a 
bre('ze  should  spring  up. 

At  half  past  tive,  A.  M.,  the  stars  and  stripes  were 
hoisted  at  the  pe-ik,  and  the  broad  pennant  at  the  main; 
a  gun  was  fire  i  to  *  o ward  with  blank  cartridge,  the 
signal  of  a  frieii''.  She  respor-  ied  to  our  friendly  indi- 
cation, by  hoisti  g  the  Spanish  flag,  and  firing  a  thirty- 
two  pound  shot,  which  fell  a  short  distance  astern  of  us. 
Atjd  now  the  action  began.  The  order  was  given 
by  Captain  W.  to  elevate  the  guns  of  the  first  divis- 
ion, so  as,  if  possible,  to  cut  away  the  enemy's  spars. 
Presently  a  broad  sheet  of  flame  issued  from  the  lar- 


:1 


board 
in  smo 
Jay,  un 
kept  uj 
not  a 
nent's  t 

he  was 

came  sk 

daylight 

Sure  ( 

top  of  th 

of  the  n 

charged  a 

tion  of  tl 

deck  plan 

mizzen  ri 

away;  thi 

became  at 

and  crew, 

stratagem  t 

behind  the 

off  the  Jan( 

"  Away  j 

the  topsail, 

all  ready  to 

cession,  anc 

ship  was  un 

canted  to  st 

two  boats  h 

breeze  did  n 

again  fell  eal 

it  was  irnpc 

The  swelj,  sc 

again  to  and 

light  sails  cle 

the  ship  was 

^ythekedge, 

the  Spaniard 


«•'*•«    ON    THE    OCEAW.  .. 

board  side,  am'  for  a 

"^"  iV  r- 7".^-  Mjzf  <"  ^«»»  -  op7 

;  »f  ihe  mizzen  riggin™  %'  ""?  <=»'  away  two  shJ,T. 
charged  at  the  enemi  t  .  ®'"S'«  «f'ots  were  uH  f^ 
lion  of  the  enemT*^'  u'"  '^''^out  effect      Th        ''"'■ 

deck  p,a,.k  :"a  levered' atP"  ''T"-  f-rT.dVe^T; 
mizzen  rigging,  ,„/:f«fa>^war,^^^^^^    ,he  ^a'i/S 

swdy ,  three  men  lav  d^fi  \,  *  we-yard,  were  ,.... 
became  absolutely  n™'"'"*  »f,'e'>  ^o\,ndJ-Zdt 
and  crew,  either  to  get  on,  L  u  ""^  ^''"'"y  of  the  shin 

5trf^tV5reS»trhe%« 

«?^'n  fell  calm,  and  frZ  T"  fifteen  minutes,  when  ,> 

''y  TPo^'ible  toTow'Lr^r  r "  -"ich  L,  i " 
,  ^  ne  swelj,  setting  u^    •        "®'   ahead  with   fh«   k       ' 

I  ^>  ana  wo  perceired  he  was 


11 


\ 


64 


r.IFE    ON   THR    OCEAN. 


getting  under  way.     Captain  W.,  addressing  the  crew, 
said, — 

*'  Now,  my  men,  the  Spaniard  is  under  the  impression 
that  he  has  silenced  us,  and  intends  to  carry  us  by  board- 
ing. We  will  not  undeceive  him  till  he  gets  fairly 
within  short  gun-shot.  Recollect,  the  American  flag 
must  never  be  struck  to  that  Sfianiard.  Away  then  to 
your  quarters;  let  the  larboard  broadside  be  charged 
with  round  and  grape,  and  let  not  a  shot  be  spent  in 


jj 


vain 

The  lugger  now  came  from  behind  the  rocks,  pulling 
boldly  with  her  sweeps  head  on. 

"Are  all  the  divisions  ready?"  demanded  Capt.  W., 
which  was  answered  in  the  affirmative.  "Mind,"  said 
he,  "  that  you  depress  the  muzzles  of  your  guns,  so  as  to 
hull  the  rascal." 

i  "Ay,  ay,  sir! "  said  an  old  tar,  who  was  captain  of  a 
gun  near  to  that  at  which  I  was  stationed,  and  which 
he  had  christened  Nancy  Dawson.  So  saying,  he 
clapped  his  eye  to  the  breech,  and,  patting  the  gun 
most  affectionately,  said  — 

"  That  cut-throat  rascal  shall  hear  some  of  your  small 
talk  presently." 

.;  The  lugger  had  now  approached  to  within  half-gun- 
shot, head  on ;  the  order  was  now  given  to  lay  the 
ship's  broadside  with  the  spring  so  aa  to  give  the  enemy 
a  raking  fire.  The  movement  was  quickly  perceived 
by  the  lugger,  and  her  head  was  immediately  pulled 
round  with  the  sweeps,  so  as  to  bring  her  starboard 
broadside  to  bear. 

"  Are  you  ready  fore  and  aft  ? "  said  Captain  W. 

"  Av,  ay  !  "  was  the  reply. 

"Fire!" 
-  The  whole  broadside  was  discharged,  which  shook 
the  ship  from  the  keelson  to  the  truck,  and  which  en- 
veloped her  in  a  cloud  of  smoke.  In  a  few  moments  it 
cleared  away: — the  lugger's  mizzen-mast,  main-topmast, 
and  bowsprit,  were  gone  ;  and,  as  we  afterwards  learned, 
ppe  of  h^r  thirty-two  pounders  was  capsized,  seventeen 


men  la 
woinidt 
"  Naiicj 
away,  ji 
of  his 
the  miz2 
puihug 

•'  Elev 
fast  as  y( 

This 

exasperat 

mates.     ( 

with  the  J 

of  guii-sh( 

given,  an( 

liberty  of 

"No,»£ 

enough  ha 

I  might  carr 

expense  of 

before  us  y 

all  the  am 

lives  more 

This  had 

were  cleare 

weighing  th 

brought  it  i 

anchor  hove 

up  from  oflf 

stowed,  the 

minutes  she 

sea,  to  repair 

We  stood  ( 

put  of  sight  c 

I  in ;  and  as  Ci 

I  operations,  w< 

I  night,  under  e 

[for  the  burial 

July  I  i.^ 


«•>«•«    ON    THE    OCEIM.  g^ 

away,  jumped  i„  ccsTa  ;V'^:i"«f;  ?  ""i^^''''-'"-''"? 
of  his  gm,,  swore  that  .he  Zl  f  '  ''m '"«  "'«  Creech 
ihe  ,n,^ze,.-mast.  The  oL^U'^  ^^""Y  "•>•  away 
Pu'l'Mg  ii>  shore.  ***'  '•y  ""s  "me  had  her  head 

ras^al'roreaTa'nl"^;!^'''™'''''"'  '-<'  -d  fire  a, 

Tliis  order  ^as  uZLtarv'^a??;;'' '  "  ^"  ^^P'  W  " 

exasperated  to  the  highe"  t  S  /  ^t  ™*"  had  become 

ma.e^     Our  firing,  h^owev^to^' !^<"r  "f  <".r  »•"; 

with  the  aid  of  her  sweens  ^hf  ,      '^■'"""^  "^^'ess:  for 

g'^eii,  and  as  we  were  fll  .         T*"""^  "^eers  were  now 
''b^«y  of  Cap,.  W  r:    ITo  »'  "'?k''S'"'  ^'o -"ed 

'No,' sad  he-  "  vm,  k      ^     '^  ^'^^  the  boats 
-ongh  has  hj^rl  s^uV^:X'Z'VT''y' -"^^looa 
■night  carry  the  cowardli^Z'h  /"'""  '"«  "'al  you' 
expense  of  some  of  yo„  ^ivef  ""^  «  '™»ld  b.  at  '^he 

were  cleared,  theTalri^l^^/'' "''e  crew.    The  decks 
weighing  the  anchor,  which  had  fl   "^f-  ^"«o«eded   U, 
""""ght  it  alongside  the  Tahl         *"  '''PP*^.  and  s„o 
anchor  hore  tothe  b„ws    TiJhTk'^^''''  '"'  «"<»  •"'" 
«P  from  off  the  land   tL  L,®*"  *'""'^  now  sprung* 
«»wed,  the  stream  .^^h^^  ^%  '^^"^  hoiked  in'^'a"^ 
ainmes  she  was  under  a  pit!  „^"'*.:"P'  «'«'  «  a  few 

,7  of  sight  of  \hetr%r?fi;:?' ''"^' -'"^«  were 
'n;  and  as  Captain  W  .„.         J*"'  **''«  were  all  i«t„„ 

operations.  we^sfelJaCto'I^"''"^  "«  '"  0"r  >«! 
»iSht,  under  easy  sail  The  ?„  .  ^orthwarf,  during  ,h" 
for  .he  burial  of^ur  deal*  °""'""S  "ay  was  se,  1^1 


86 


LirS    ON    THE    OCBAN. 


sky ;  and  now,  the  excitement  of  battle  beini^  over,  a 
universal  sadness  was  felt  throughout  the  ship  for  the 
loss  of  our  three  young  shipmates,  and  the  fate  of  two 
others,  who,  it  was  supposed,  were  mortaUy  vrounded. 
The  corpses  were  sewed  in  their  hammocks,  and  every 
preparation  was  made  for  a  burial  at  sea.  At  10  A.  M., 
the  ship  was  hove  to,  with  the  main-topsail  at  the  mast. 
All  hands  were  piped  on  deck,  and  th^^  bodies  were 
laid  on  planks  in  the  gangway.  The  captain's  clerk  com- 
menced the  funeral  service  of  the  Episcopal  church  :  — 
"  Man,  that  is  born  of  a  woman,"  &c.  There  stood  the 
old  tars  who  had  braved  tiiany  a  storm,  and  faced  the 
enemy  at  the  cannon's  mouth,  with  their  hard  features 
and  brawny  limbs.  The  moment  the  service  com- 
menced, their  eye-pumps  gave  way,  arid  the  salt  tears 
fell  in  quick  succession  dovn  their  weather-beaten 
faces,  while  the  more  youthful  sailors,  being  more  sus- 
ceptible to  the  impressions  of  woe,  wept  immoderately. 
Just  at  the  moment  when  the  clerk  had  reached  that 
part  of  the  service  which  commits  the  body  to  the  deep, 
I  cast  a  glar)ce  at  Captain  W.  and  the  officers,  and  saw 
depicted  in  their  countenances  the  deepest  emotions  of 
sorrow,  m  well  as  the  falling  tears  chasing  each  other 
in  rapid  succession.  The  sea  being  perfectly  smooth, 
the  ship  lay  nearly  as  still  as  if  she  had  been  at  an 
anchor.  The  solemn  moment  arrived,  the  voice  of 
the  clerk  tremulously  pronounced,  "  We  commit  these 
bodies  to  the  deep,*"  a  splash  was  heard,  and  the 
corpses  sank  beneath  the  blue  wave,  there  to  rest  until 
'*the  sea  shall  give  up  its  dead." 


r«ftt- "0:111--,  Stf! 


—  DES 
AJiD  F\ 

I         The  S 

■  1     over,  the 

j  .     we  steere 

ft»el,  whi( 

,    of  the  Jasi 

I    officers  an 

I    relatives  o 

I    had  giver 

i    were  also  t 

naturally  i 

those  Jatei 

Many  of  th 

3s  the  enen 

feii'ed  three 

and  rolled  i 

remaining  o 

J  many  of  us 

our  cruise  w 

in  the  night 

teds  who  wej 

^0  the  action 

the  helm  in  t 

vere  struck, 

^^ter  aft,  an 

things  as  thej 

the  Sabbath  d 

'^>  and  many 

^ho  had,  perh 

'^'Wded,   exc 

9 


87 


CttAPTBR   Yui 


•AIL   FOR   COCOS   ISLAND^ cow. 

-'DESCRIPTION  or  CHATHAM  .'^'"''''   ^""   '^^^   «AWYEt 
AND   FUNEHAf    «„       ''"ATHAM  ISLAND —  m-  „«      "AWYEt 

"'"   OP  ONE    OF  THE   SEAMEN.  "^   '^'*^^« 

'    Officers  anV!     ^^^  Produced  a  ae„pli1  '^^  occurrences 
remaining  on  boarf  t'  47!!!  "°»«quence  o7  2  t?.' 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


^ 


4^ 


1.0 


1.1 


11.25 


yuu 


-    6" 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


^^<IV" 


23  WEST  MAIN  STRUT 

WnSTIR.N.Y.  MSM 

(716)  «72-4503 


? 


88 


Lire   ON   lOilR   OCEABT. 


\ii^ 


damages  were  repaired,  and  the  duties  of  the  ship  were 
performed  with  the  usual  promptness,  and  long  yarn* 
were  being  continually  spun  in  the  forecastle,  relative 
to  our  late  action. 

While  at  a  job  of  work  in  the  main-top  in  a  forenoon 
watch,  with  an  old  sailor,  1  was  not  a  little  interested  in 
the  following  conversation :  -~ 

"  Youngster,"  said  he,  "  that  carcass  of  yours  got  the 
better  of  your  pins  the  other  day  —  you  didn't  flinch,  but 
you  had  a  narrow  chance  for  your  knowledge-box  when 
that  shot  knocked  down  Bob  Wilson  and  Sam  Clark  by 
your  side.  Well,  well,"  continued  he,  "there's  no  fun 
in  fighting  when  there's  nothing  gained  by  it ;  i  don't 
mind  to  have  a  bit  of  a  dust  now  and  then,  if  there's  any 
prize-money  in  the  way,  or  in  my  country's  sarvice ;  for, 
do  you  see,  if  mayhap  yon  get  a  fiipper  or  pin  knocked 
off,  and  lay  up'in  ordinary,  —why,  then,  you  have  a  shot 
in  the  locker ;  or  if  a  chance  shot  happens  to  let  day- 
light through  yon,  why,  then,  you're  among  the  list  of 
the  killed ;  the  jig's  up,  and  there's  an  end  on't.  But^ 
I  say,  youngster,  you've  got  lamin,  and  I  can't  read  a 
word  in  the  book ;  just  tell  me,  where  does  a  sailor  go 
to  when  he  slifis  his  wind  ?  Tve  always  had  a  notion, 
till  the  other  day,  that,  when  Jack  parts  his  cable,  he 
drives  away  to  Tiddlers'  Green,  where  there's  plenty  of 
grog  and  lots  of  fun. 

"  There  was  Tom  Bunting,  a  messmate  of  mine,  aboard 
the  Syren  frigate ;  he  could  read  just  as  well  as  the  par* 
son,  and  spin  a  yara  as  long  as  the  main-^top  bowline. 
*  Do  you  think,  Jack,'  says  he,  *  after  a  sailor  has  been 
knocked  about  like  the  boatswain's  yeoman— now  nn- 
der  a  burning  sun,  and  then  off  the  Icy  Cape,  with  hard 
usage  and  salt  grub  all  the  days  of  his  life,  banging  salt 
water  -^  that  he's  not  going  to  have  some  fun  and  frolic 
after  he  slips  his  wind?  I  tell  you,'  says  Tom,  M 
don't  believe  a  word  what  our  chaplain  said  the  other 
day,  that  a  sailor  is  going  to  be  clapped  under  hatche: 
when  he  slips  his  moorings,  just  because  he  tosses  off  a 
glass  of  grog,  lets  slip  an  oath  sometimes,  and  has  a  bit 
of  a  spree  when  ashore.'     But  I  say,  youngster,"  coiH 


tint] 

that 

he  c 

the  I 

as  i 

Dow 

you, 

Greet 

in  sfa 

the  sJ 

and  s 

pick  h 

must  c 

on  a  B 

do  you 

i«to  th 

Bill,'  Si 

when  n 

the  booi 

dozen  o 

and  at  h 

it  by  h( 

there  I '  j 

«ays  Bill 

aboard  oi 

a  French 

shot,  and 

^r  iipor 

"  Why 

you  what 

Jog-book, 

carried  toe 

course,  am 

^  sunken 

*ooor  head 

.    "Ye.s,"s 

immediate/ 

*^ap  on  eve 

your  bowjii 


""    0»  THE    OCMW.  -„ 

tinned  Jack,  « there'.  Rill  n     . 

he  does  tumble  dow".h'."7''*'""'«"«y  fellow  ?houi? 

"  '  ^o'  going  1o  ,V°  i^i  «f  «^     The  other  S  .1' 

&     <f''.  """■  «''<»«  a  MilorWo^."^""''  •'  ••« 
ween.     Sailors,  aa  well  »»  i.„i  S"'"?  «>  Piddlsr.' 

ao  you  see,  when  thL  '^    '^  ^''«y  don't  xvh.r  it^ 

do»n  of  us  iu«"  f!?  '^'  yo'V  says  B«r     L  ?1> 
rays  Bill      r  ■■  ~^'* ""«'  'rae,  Bill » -  "  p"  •"'  — '  ^vast 
fnot,  and  we  couidu'*  .,«*        "*  .^  ^^^^  bored  us  Pv«r^ 

yon  what  'tis,  vouiZer .  r  °"/ »'''" 'acfc.  I'll  ,.11 
l»g-b^lc,a™i('fiJJ8«'''.  I've  been  crerha„li„g  „'i' 
MTied  «oo  Hindi  «.;i  "!'*?'  «  h»d  reck'nius  of ;.  ■■  '^ 
course,  and  X'fk' t?'"'  '  •"»  «='««»  "ff. he  'ri^h? 
*»  sunken  rocks  and  ?*ake"rhi"  '!!!'  '»  "4  clea^^*of 

'  fs,    said  I;  'i  tajfe  n,,,  jj^  "/f "  Wp,  youngster  J '» 


S»«l  I 


90 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAlf. 


H 


offing ;  and  when  yoii  have  plenty  of  sea  room,  giv6 
the  rocks  a  wide  berth,  haul  in  the  weather-braces,  set 
studding-sails  below  and  aloft,  and  steer  away  for  the 
broad  bay  of  heaven." 

I  cast  a  glance  at  Jack,  and  saw  that  his  hard  features 
had  relaxed,  and  his  head-pumps  were  going.  Says  I, 
"  Jack,  would  you  like  to  know  how  to  read  ?  If  you 
would,  I'll  teach  you  in  our  watch  below." 

"  Youngster,  I'll  give  you  my  grog  for  six  months,  if 
you'll  jist  Tarn  me  to  read  in  that  book  I  heard  Bill  Harris 
read.  Why,  there  v^as  my  old  mother,  God  bless  her ! 
it's  many  long  years  saice,  but  1  recollect  she  would 
throw  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and  read  that  same  old 
book,  and  then  say  the  Lord's  Prayer.  '  Jack,*  says  she, 
*  be  a  good  boy  —  remember  your  poor  old  mother's  ad- 
vice ;  obey  the  orders  of  this  book,  and  it  will  make  a 
man  of  you.' " 

I  felt  an  unusiial  interest  for  poor  Jack,  and  resolved 
to  use  my  best  endeavors  to  instruct  him,  at  least  so 
far  as  that  he  might  be  able  to  read  ;  and,  at  the  same 
time,  I  felt  a  little  curious  to  know  more  about  his 
history.  Addressing  him  to  this  effect,  I  said,  "  I  should 
like  to  know  more  about  your  poor  old  mother  and 
yourself."     To  which  he  replied,— 

"  Why,  youngster,  I've  been  boxing  the  compass,  up 
and  down,  fair  weather  and  foul,  twenty-seven  years, 
and  never  had  a  messmate  before  that  cared  for  old 
mother,  and  rattlebrain  Jack  Sawyer;"  ^for  this  was  his 
name :)  "  why,  my  hearty,"  continued  "  it's  a  pretty 
long  yarn  ;  and  as  we  have  good  w^at^.o^  in  these  lati* 
tudes  —  too  good  for  these  cut-throat  rascals  on  this  coast 
—  I'll  spin  it  out  here  in  the  to\>  in  our  watch  at  night." 

At  that  moment  eight  bells  were  struck,  the  larboard 
watch  called,  and  the  boatswain  piped  to  dinner. 

July  20.  —  During  the  nine  preceding  days,  nothing 
of  moment  transpired  to  disturb  the  monotony  which  is 
usual  at  sea,  with  a  long  series  of  fair  winds  and  good 
weather  ;  and  as  we  were  now  rapidly  approaching  the 
island.  Jack  Sawyer  said  he  would  clap  a  stopper  on  his 
yarn,  until  we  got  our  wood  and  water  on  boards 


J 

hov 

oior 

isjaij 

not  1 

come 

up  \v 

were 

up  th( 

may  1 

there 

ular,  c 

we  irn 

a  mill 

«upplie; 

in  circi 

defache 

The  la, 

«n  wood 

The  wai 

may  be 

Jng  the 

to  ejKtenc 

"iws  a  str 

other  end 

once.    Aj 

opportuni 

Captain  \ 

three  \vqq\ 

employed 

collecting 

••'so  empJo 

Plentiful  SI 

I  ^ere  J/teral 

■  quantities  v 

fowl  were  h 

ciesof  duci 

J  boobies  were 

nad  nodiffi( 


i- 1 


"'«    ON  THE    OCEAN. 

July  22  4»      J   .  91 

mora  iiif.     vv-    '"  '°  w  close  up  with  .i.     .     *^'">  "nd 

come  lola^X     '  '*^"«-     Oo?  th^  '^^^''^'''y.  distant 

ware  hoi^e'd'o  ^alrL!"  '«"  '«'o.«::atf'''';;^'''-''''«IU 
np  the  water  a.  rf  *"''«•'?'•/  Prejaratioii  w»l'  '^^^  ■"""» 
»ay  lie  here  ?>?  .k™'*'*'"'*''  the  stock  J?  ?*^*  '<>  «" 

'h"-  a,-;  howTver^oT'l  f^""-*  ^e"y  in^'all  I^T" 
f'ar,  except  at  c^l  „  «'''^*''  the  trade  w?,d7.""'»' 
are  iiiternii,i.!i  ^    '"'"  seasons  of  ih.  ,        "^  ^^  ««- 

a  mill3  1  ^J'  "-I™"'-     The  ba^  '^'''■'  *••«"  they 

suppheV     v.       «"■"'•''*  e'er/faciL"  ""  ™°°'h  «» 
inXcnmfeZ,     "'*'"'  «  small  1.^"^'"?  '"  ''^^^'s  for 

<le.ached"l7nr"'"''  '*<•  wL"^"'  ^T  t-ile. 
The  land  iL, '"'!''»'  "channel  from    h    ''  "'"'=''  «• 

The  water  hL'       "^  »»''  cocoa-niwr^^'  flxM'tidiiig 
may  be  KM  ^k''  P^iSs  the  fi^,?"''  '"  «l"""danceT 

to  extend  a  li'fc  ^r I*'"™'  ««  Xo.,  have  no,hi„?,''°:i'  *•""- 
"">s  a  streatn  of  ^    T  '"  'he  top  of  a  root    ^  "*  **  ""t* 
otherend^f  ,hf*r"'^*''«"«e^--8»dbv7"""'"""«'»      * 
once.    As  we   f      **  ""°  the  casksthr    "^""S  "W 
opportniS  „7„  r/-  •""'  '■»  »  fi^l.arbor''  "'.'"''"'  « 
Captain  wTma,?,'"!", ™W''ies,  ""d  XrtanI  f  "  ■?'' 
three  week.  ^        "P  '"«  m  nd  to  «.„?•     l     "'"  sh  p, 

employed  in v.."'"'''''-     The  c«wT«     ''*'««  '«"« 
colleX;  T  ^^""'8  "ater,  wooS    !*".'"'»'  variously 
'Bcting  cocoa-nuts      Th.  •  'hooting  hoffo    ,„j 

■"'so  employed  >..  k  ■  "*  ""not»r  and  h,^  8'  *"" 
plentiful'  suMlv  ^r  "'™'"«  "  'oal-pi,  wi'  f  *  «'c™ 
»eie  liieraiiC'^'^  °^  «8gs  from  the  sm»li  •  f  "''ta'ned  a 

"ad  10  difficni.,,  •  '  *"d  they  were  «/> ,  '  onng 

9»""^  '"  <=»P""ing  them  by  h^r^'  """.*• 

^y  nana,  or  with  a 


f   0 


'Ml 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAIT. 


!  *! 


imall  stick.     We  found  them  quite  as  great  a  delicacy 
as  a  squab. 

The  hunting  of  hogs  was  found  to  be  a  dangerous 
service,  and  proved  nearly  fatal  to  some  of  the  crew  en- 
gaged in  that  duty.  On  one  occasion,  a  party  of  men 
penetrated  some  distance  into  the  island,  and  separated 
into  pairs,  supposing  that  they  might  have  a  better 
opportunity  to  start  the  animal.  Suddenly  and  unex- 
pectedly a  large  boar,  with  immense  tusks,  exceedingly 
fierce,  started  close  by  the  side  of  two  engaged  in  the 
pursuit.  Surprised,  and  momentarily  thrown  off  their 
guard,  the  animal  approached  to  within  a  few  paces  of 
them,  when  a  musket  was  discharged  which  wounded 
him,  though  but  slightly.  Roused  to  madness  by  the 
wound,  he  sprang  upon  the  man  who  had  discharged 
his  musket,  and  drove  his  tusk  nearly  through  his  leg. 
By  this  time  the  other  man  recovered  himself^  and  shot 
the  boar  tliroqgh  the  body. 


t  Uwnting  Hoga  at  Ckalkam  Bay.   p.  99. 

While  here,  w«^  took  about  thirty  hogs ;  but  such  wm 
the  heat  of  the  climate,  that  we  were  necessarily  obli. 


to  t 

flav( 

no  c 

of  tl 

muci 

Au 

Curs 

one  G 


was  cc 
arm  ar 
in  the  i 
vay,  ai 
nearly  < 
out.     I 
about  t 
employe 
possible, 
ever.     V 
were  laic 
*6t  apart 
the  ship  t 
nessed. 
the  sorro 
together  i 
night  of  V 
Augtist 
s*^y  was  se 
caJm,  gave 
w^'th  the  i 
homed  hai 
^ere  piped 

,  The  boat 
I  ^'^y  of  the 
;  Was  thrown 
,  ^ere  then  a 
"^'^th  the  lau 
««8sion  was 
'weehmjdre< 


""    OS    THE    0CC*«. 

«o  salt  them  down  ».  /•  *' 

flavor  or  sweeta^  ,u    «^.  ^  ""»y   wert>  tei. 
no  comparison  S  ,k^  ^*'''  »''  «he  wiTd  t      '"''••    »« 
of  «•«  former  SV^L"""*  <"  domi  t  &"  "*" 

was  coCV'SJ'  P^'Pendiciar,  from  ,1T  *'S''«y  «' 

»n  the  act  of  tnn«L-       "^  ^  ^""e®*  and  thp^,u  ""  '''^  left 

nearly  ererv  hi    •  ''?'"®  *°  ^^e  bea^^l  ^^  ^'^^  B^ve 

out.     I  sh«M      "®  '^  *»'■«  body    anrf  w    ^^''^'  W,W 

"*•     1  sha/1  never  for&A*  ^u  ^'  .  ""  <<«shinff  hi*  k    "^ 

about  twenfv  ,,01.?®*  ^hat  siffhl  h*..r.l^      ®  "^^^n^ 

empIoyed-rLn  '^^  ^''*^«c«  fron^*  wh/  *i  '^^  '^^ 
possible  bLr^i?"''^^^«d-  IrantoT^"^  ''^  '«"ded, 
ever      w         '^®  ^«s  ^Xtmct   for  k-      **""  «»  quickfv  a^ 

»t  apart  fnr  i;   °°®''  *«»  made  a„rf  .?  " ""»  femaina 

*«  sorrow  d.„".J"''"''P'«<»  silence  L  ^  ^''^'  *•'- 
•ogethe;  w"^t^''P^;«^"  ".e  co,rrnaLc:a"of1^  ^'"P* 
■"•ght  of  woe.  ""'  *""'«'<•»  of  ,he  Sd°  madeT' 

mated  haIf,mflof        . '    *^®  enacted      Tk  "nisou 

'^^  Pip«i  fen^.h^'^''^''  being  ovl'tr.^T 
.  The  b«..a  we»  nowlnr^r  '"''''=*  °'''  -^ 

y-d^.oaaecues.ered.pot.atSdtSJ! 


»«•• 


2S>fi 


m 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEAIT. 


trees  not  unlike  the  weeping-willow,  the  chosen  sepulchre 
for  the  repository  of  the  dead.  The  funeral  service  was 
read  with  great  seriousness  by  the  captain's  clerk,  who 
usually  performed  the  office  of  chaplain ;  the  body  was 
lowered  into  the  grave,  and  we  returned  in  the  same 
order  to  the  boats,  and  from  thence  on  board  the  ship. 

August  5.  —  We  had  now  filled  all  the  water-casks  ; 
with  a  large  supply  of  wood,  hogs,  cocoa-nuts,  6lc.  ; 
nothing  remained  to  detain  us  but  coal,  which  vvonld  be 
ready  in  two  days.  This  last  death,  by  its  violence, 
awakened  again  the  snperstitious  notions  of  the  crew, 
and  it  was  currently  believed  that  we  should  have  bad 
luck  during  the  remainder  of  the  voyage.  So  deeply 
was  this  belief  impressed  upon  the  minds  of  the  men, 
that  it  caused  a  general  apathy,  which  required  all  the 
exertions  and  ingenuity  of  the  captain  and  officers  to 
disf;e].  I  recollect,  about  this  period,  while  engaged  in 
a  dog-watch  below,  teaching  Jack  Sawyer  hfs  letters, 
that  he  broke  off  abruptly  from  his  study,  and  said,— 

"Youngster,  since  Joe  Davis  tumbled  off  that  hill 
and  knocked  his  brains  out,  I've  bowsed  my  thinking 
tacks  close  down  to  the  buni|  kin-head.  That's  a  lone- 
some graveyard  yonder,"  continued  he,  mournfully ;  "  but 
what's  the  odds  ?  Bill  Harris  says  every  word  in  the 
Bible  is  true  ;  if  it  be  so,  why  then,  d'ye  see,  Joe  Davis 
will  come  up  from  under  hatches,' just  the  same  as  if  he 
was  decently  sewed  up  in  his  hammock  and  tumbled 
into  the  sea ;  yes,  youngster,  I  suppose  it's  no  gro<it 
matter  whether  our  carcasses  fill  the  belly  of  a  hungry 
shark,  or  make  grub  for  the  worms." 

The  conversation  between  us  assumed  a  very  serious 
air,  and  half  an  hour  of  the  dog-watch  was  spent  ia 
reading  the  Bible,  at  the  request  of  Jack,  who  sat  resting 
his  chin  upon  his  hand,  listening  with  the  most  profound 
attention. 

August  8.  —  Having  now  taken  on  board  the  coals, 
say  three  hundred  husliels,  which  was  the  product  of  the 
pit,  and  having  filled  every  Sjare  vessel  on  board  with 
water,  and  the  necessary  repairs  and  overhauling  of  the 
«hip  being  completed,  we  got  undef  way,  made  all  sail,  and 


stood 

bourn 

now, 

some 

to  mj 

of  it  ( 

Bible 

degree 

who  I 

native 

awful  t 

of  that 

conspin 

Isuppo 

vivacit)' 

reflectio 

unfrequt 

Augii. 

a  fine  bn 

It  was  s( 

that  we 

leeward  i 

We  haul( 

made  the 

judging  t 

rendezvou 

Bay  of  a 

9^  45',  w 

land,  and  j 

four  Jeagn 

made  to  an 

anchored  v 

^afer,  dists 

almost  ever 

surf  runs  v 

considerable 

, .   -August  I 

into  which 

I sud,  as  usua 

•econd  cuttej 


«■"•«    0»   THE    OCI«,. 

Stood  out  to  sea  with  .  «      i 

bound,  a,  „e  undemof-d  ^^  •h'':!"'  <■«•»  '"e  noKhwari 
no",  more  seriously  than  °  "'« '««»«nl  coast.     1  bemS 
some  adrtce  received  fmlr'"'  •"  "**•='  "P»n  the  whoS 

»   «  on  which  hi  laid  so  IT  r'*'*''""^  '■''<"  ^ 

dt  L  ':f '""J^-      I  e''n?ei  I  had'a?  "if'*"  '"^^ 
aegree  of  superstition    anrf  J  ""feady  mbibed  a 

who  believed  that  .h»    v.-  "^'o"*  among  .he  m,..,^ 

»a.iveIa„dwithr,,t,:^ofr"  T  "'^r.  to"Z 
awftil  tragedy  I  had  i  m^5  ""^  "'^  ">e  crew.     The 

0'  "'at   lonely  spot   wherT  ,h?t'''.'"^  "•«  desolati™ 
conspired  to  make  a  dlen  *  '^^  ^"''y  *««  interred   al" 
Isnppose,  to  throw  a  <,h!S  ""/""ss'on  on  my  mind  •  »nH 
vivacity.    Youns^  i    "^^  f  melancholy  ov"  m  v'„      / 

a  fine  breeze,  stauSfngdowr,  *'""''.^'''' "^^^ 'h^  sea  with 
I'  was  soon  ascertained  Z"  T^"^^  ""*  '««*««!  c^, 
bat  .ve  should  aga"nvisT,h^" """'"'""  i-'he con^ 
^•vard  as  was  comempUerf,  .'"'''«'  •""  •«"  «»  fa"  to 
We  hanied  our  wind"„t'X,:iy  "a?H  '*"  '"«  '■^''"'d 
made  the  coast  in  latitude  Vi?X'     "^'  ""    'he   lOih 
jodgmg  that  ,ve   were  a  «,!^  ^^   """''•     Captain  W 
^ndezvons  of  me,^f?war  d^""'  '^1'"""'^  f">m   rte 
%  of  Moro   Hermos^";^,:;'^:"^  *"  B"  i"to  the 
Ld  „•  7*'*  '""Kitude  860  6^^  j^^  '"  «orth    latitude 
land,  and  saw  the  bay  at  2  P  lif   f«.«'ose  in  with  the 
fo»J  leagues  distant.  '^  The  ne^2  *^""^  east-north^^t 

'onfiderabledifficK'""'  """  '"'"""g  «  attendTwith 

»'o  Which  were  put  a  keZ^  ''7'«'  <»«  'bree  boats 
hd.aa  usual,  it  feiVo^.n^ftr'tr-  ^.'"'Hiues,  &t; 

««ond  cutter,  Which  was  a^ighTbo7  "■r-™''"  «'■  •»'» 

snt  ooat— togoonshore. 


\i% 


Lire    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


I  ;l 


In  landing,  as  described  in  a  preceding   part   of  this 
work,  we  used  the  same  means,   viz.,  running  a  line 
ashore,  with  one  end  made  fast  there,  the  other  fastened 
to  a  buoy,  which    was  bent  to  the  kedge-anchor  out- 
side uf  the  breakers.     The  landing  being  effected  with 
three  hoa(f ,  nothing  was  to  be  seen  except  two   niisera- 
ble  huts;  to  them  we  proceeded,  and  learned  from  the 
inmates   'hat  the  village,  or  town,  was  situated  in  a 
valley  al/out  a  league  distant.     We  despatched  a  mes- 
senger  to    give   niformution  as  to   the   nature  of  our 
business.     It    was  not  long  before  a  party  of  about  a 
dozen  Spaniards  were  seen  riding  towards  the  place  of 
landing.     Our  conference  with  them  was  short :  they, 
appearing  ;o  have  no  information  as  to  the  character  of 
our  ship,  or  of  the  affair  to  windward,  were  anxious  to 
go  on  board  to  make  purchases,  being,  as  they  informed 
us,  in  great  want  of  wearing  apparel,  as  well  as  linens,  &.c. 
Consequently,  a  very  lucrative  business  was  carried  on 
with  them  during  the  few  days  we  remained.     Among 
this  group  of  Spaniards,  we  were  surprised  to  see  an 
American  sailor,  who  had  arrived  there  a  few  days  pre- 
vious, in  a  small  coasting  vessel,  from  Guayaquil.     He 
having  been  in  Callao,  where  the  lugger  arrived  after 
the  action,  through  him  we  learned  her  disastrous  fate. 
He  said  the  captain  of  the  lugger  was   an    Irishman, 
and  had  repeatedly  been  on  board  of  us ;  consequently 
knew  our  strength,  and  prepared  the  lugger  for  a  suc- 
cessful  rencounter  —  that  he,  with  more  than  twenty 
others,  were  killed,  many  were  wounded,  and  the  lug- 
ger  was  literally  riddled  in  her  hull,  and  her  masts,  bow- 
sprit, &c,,  cut  away.     This  man  shipped  on  board  of  us 
for  the  voyage. 

August  20. -—The  prospect  of  disposing  of  any  more 
goods  being  now  over,  having  got  on  board  at  least 
^40,000  in  specie  at  Moro  Hermosa,  and  Capt.  W.  not 
wishing  to  remain  long  at  any  one  place,  we  got  under 
way,  and  stood  to  sea,  keeping  the  coast  in  sight,  as  our 
next  destination  was  Realejo. 

Avgust  24. —  Hauled  into  the  land,  and  at  10  A.  M.  en- 
tered the  Bay  of  Realejo,  and  anchored  in  twenty  fathomi 


water 

bor,  i 

its  eii 

ancho 

the  pn 

in  the 

west   I 

houses 

custom 

and  it 

pearanc 

not  hai 

entered 

utensils 

we  leart 

a  vessel, 

there  ab< 

were  exc 

them  an 

fore  we  h 

town  had 

We  fount 

and  sold  t 

Septenii 

out  of  the 

louring  the 

in  close  to 

south-east 

Jwats  ashori 

without  dij 

hnts,  which 

that  the  n 

T|he  people, 

«f  that  settl 

tnre  of  our  t 

there  was  gc 

the  ship  wa 

,  '^ater,  two  i 

tember  7th, 


n 


'•'•'*    <>''   THE   OCtAM. 


n 


«s  eiitruijce,  and  the  dpnfi;  •  I  ^  ^*'"''  '"''is  wid«  «, 
anchoring  ground.  lt!^^\ ''  «*»"'«  one  ieague  ,„!u^' 
the  r^revailing  wh  ds  on  tf  •''^'  '^^  «*»«'ter  whafeve  '  r 

west   longitude.      The   tL"""*^  '«titude    aid  8%  l^ 
houses  similar  to   thl     i  ''^  *^°"sists  of  ahmn  /» •  ^ 
cusN;ms  and  habits  o/Th^^^^^^  '-  ^in^Z  X2 

and  ,f  we  had  formed  an  /  ""^'^  ^«^«  'n.ich  the  JJ^ 
r^arance,  which  iSttrixllJem/"'"  ^^---t'e» 

«  vess...(,  exce  r»  «     '  *"'P'«'  ""«  they  had  ,!!     ''"""*' 

.here  abo:rre,r.;p:::^'>  *'*"!"'"•  *h'  h  h  n,' 7» 

•liem  an  opportuuit J  ?'  ■"  , '?  ''"«  <"»•  shin      w^'  ""y 
J^wn  had  pa,d  „s  a  visit      Th  '"habiianrs  of  tf^ 

^^.  Which  were^a  ii.IL'l*L-X7  V  "^  S 

K~l"*r''  '"'"''Went  w^  ,t^''''''**''«™ed 
„,7.  people,  however,  offered  Z^  i  "    Wues  distant 

,^'hatsettlementof'thf^^"  '°^"n  'he  inhabit 
™e  of  our  business,  in  alUf  „u?\,"'e  "hip  and  the  m- 

""-'  rth.  pr^^eeded  With  t^e   ^'"rsh'S;' ^ 


i 
1     "t 


Lire  ON  trie  ockan» 


found  the  Spaniards  anxiously  waiting  to  go  on  board. 
A  number  of  them  went  off,  and  at  this  place  we  effected 
sales  to  the  amount  of  about  $20,000. 

September  15.  ->« Weighed  anchor,  and  stood  out ;  and 
as  we  were  now  approaching  Acapulco,  the  rendezvous 
for  Spanish  galleons,  it  became  necessary  for  us  to  pro- 
ceed with  great  caution,  especially  as  they  are  always 
under  strong  convoy.  We  also  received  information,  at 
the  last  port,  that  two  sail  had  been  seen,  which  were 
8up|)osed  to  be  a  galleon,  under  convoy  of  a  frigate. 

From  the  last  date  until  October  24th,  nothing  remark' 
able  transpired.  We  touched  at  several  small  ports,  and 
at  every  place  effected  sales  of  our  cargo. 

October  25.  — Weighed  anchor  from  Puerto  Veritosa, 
which  lies  in  the  parallel  of  16^  6'  north  latitude,  and 
95°  22'  west  longitude.  Our  near  proximity  to  Aca- 
pulco determined  Captain  W.  to  stand  out  to  sea,  and 
make  a  good  offing,  ^o  as  to  avoid  the  Spanish  men-of- 
war,  if  any  might  be  there.  Accordingly,  all  sail  was 
carried  during  this  day  and  night.  On  the  morning  of 
the  26th  it  fell  dead  calm,  and  very  soon  the  heavens 
were  overspread  with  blackness.  At  8  A.  M.,  the  rain 
began  to  fall  in  torrents,  attended  with  severe  thunder, 
and  the  most  vivid  flashes  of  lightning  that  I  had  ever 
beheld,  which  continued,  without  intermission,  until  5 
P.  M.  During  the  whole  of  this  time,  not  a  breath  of  air 
was  stirring  ;  and,  to  add  to  the  horror  of  the  scene,  an 
immense  number  of  sharks  were  seen  around  us,  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  extend,  one  of  which,  although  the  an* 
nouncement  may  appear  incredible  to  the  reader,  ex- 
tended from  the  forward  part  of  the  fore-channels  to  the 
after  part  of  the  mizzen-channels  of  the  ship, — and  as  she 
was  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  feet  long,  consaquentlf 
the  shark  must  have  been  at  least  eighty  feet  in  length. 
At  the  same  time,  innumerable  dolphins  were  hooked  or 
grained,  but  were  torn  to  pieces  by  the  ravenous  sharks  j 
before  they  could  be  got  on  board.  At  sunset  a  light  j 
air  sprang  up,  and  we  stood  away  to  the  northward. 


BXCITIR 

vall 

MAN  ( 

Octoh 

ho  \ "  wi 

abaft  the 

her  char 

man-of-p 

in  reading 

"  •  'o  asc 

belonged. 

doubt  wa 

"pon  us  u 

Spanish  e 

gun-shot,  I 

couJd  get  a 

,     "HardHi 

%ht  sails; 

I  sheets  close 

[starboard  b 

y^'iin  quicj 

J   In  fifteen 

[we  breeze, 

inwner,  and 

nth.  a  modej 

nad  now  broi 

^weived  thai 

ppon  IIS.     Tf 

%» for  it  wa 
neared  us; 
10 


^*Wntfittia>,:  "Ww 


i.-'n    . 


CHAPTER  IX. 

"CIIIMO  CHASE    iNU    ,. 

October  27 i-,  j 

a«ii-of-war.     J^f  K*''"«="y  «ade  out  .„  k  ^'^<»  "•»« 

ij7dines,-,„t!^fc^«^f-rei«„eX.i    tlM.0^^^^ 
^'  to  ascertain  ,v         . '  "  Deine  th«  in»-r»«.-     ^  ^**  be 

belonged.  'Tv'  ff '^^'  ^^  ^^*t  n^  Z  f  ^^P^' 
dwibt  was  soon  ^^  '*<''  altered  «„r  "  ^®  stranger 
»Pon  us  undf^"  T^'^^^^^  ^or  the  stmn  JT'®'  ^^e'y 

N  now  hrouttht  IT^®'*^  '"e  rate  of  seven  irJ  f  ^'*^» 
p  «e«ed  „r  "'•" ''^  »  *e  toe  iif^S'^*;^.' 


100 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAlf. 


ffr 


r 


w 
iff 

ill! 


*'Riin  the'gans  off  the  forecaEtle  to  the  main  deck," 
said  Captain  W. 

This  order  was  iiiimediately  obeyed ;  silence  prevailed, 
and  every  eye  was  directed  to  the  vessel  in  chase,.  At 
this  point  the  frigate  made  a  slight  yaw ;  a  broad  sheet  of 
flame  issued  from  her  bow-chasers ;  and  the  next  instant 
a  shot  cut  away  our  larboard  lower  studding-sail-boom. 

*'  Secure  the  studding-sail,  and  get  another  boom  out ; 
set  the  spanker,  and  haul  the  boom  well  forward  with 
the  guy,'^  said  Captain  W. 

This  was  the  work  of  a  few  minute*;  a  spar  was  soon 
got  out  and  rigged,  and  the  lower  studding-sail  was  set 
in  ten  minutes.  Purchases  were  now  rigged  at  the 
yard-arms,  water  was  drawn  up,  and  every  sail  wa»  wet 
fore  and  aft  the  ship.  The  next  half  hour,  no  percepti- 
ble difference  could  be  seen  in  the  relative  distance  of 
the  two  ships.  The  wind  had  freshened,  and  we  were 
now  running  at  the  rate  of  ten  and  a  half  knots. 

It  was  now  evident  we  held  way  with  the  chase,  and 
we  began  to  entertain  hopes  that  we  might  hold  our 
position  good  until  night,  and,  under  its  cover,  elude 
the  enemy — if,  in  the  mean  time,  the  frigate  did  not  cut 
away  some  of  our  spars,  as  she  was  now  within  less  than 
gun-shot  of  us.  Another  broad  yfiw,  and  her  forward 
division  was  sent  streaming  after  us,  but  with  so  little 
precision,  that  the  shot  fell  ahead  of  us  a  considerable 
distance  from  the  starboard  bow. 

'*  Well,"  said  an  old  tar,  "give  us  two  or  three  more 
of  your  broad  yaws  and  bow-cha&ers,  and,  my  life  for  it, 
you'll  miss  your  prize  this  day." 

But  the  enemy  was  no  laggard ;  she  held  her  way, 
notwithstanding  the  disadvantage  of  yawing  and  firing 
her  bow-chasers.  At  S  A.  M.,  a  large  shark  was  seen 
following  in  our  wake,  and  this,  to  a  sailor,  is  always 
an:  ill  omea;  and  in  view  of  the  circumstances  under 
which  we  were  now  placed,  the  omen,  trivial  as  it  was, 
seemed  tp  weigh  with  double  force  upon  the  minds  of 
the  crew.  The  wind  now  blew  strong,  so  that  we  were 
obliged  to  take  in  sky-sails   and  royal-studding-sails. 


shi 

the 

mat 

and 

toti 

now 


capta 

has  h 

be  pn 

yonde 

The 

time,  I 

all  wa; 

diately 

In  a  s 

the  aid 

Us  Was 
had  gai 
next   ha 

between 

ahead  -~ 

upon  a  w 

Thesf 

^ug  on,  a 

Water  at  t 

rid  of  on< 

^ith  man^ 

other  stiJl" 

'^atch  bale 

«boiit  the  i 

Y^s  comini 

*ne  ship  tl 

, ;;«  the  sick 

%,oneof 


■4««m  the  friffati.  «  .  '"* 

■nast,  away  Z?*;.'""'"8  «  P««.  ^^|  '"  f  *»d  I  « 
to  throw  themS^''     '"'  ""^  above  ie     Th^'  "»«  »aib 

"'^n£-«=- """'"''°"-  ^^^^^^ 

^''Zl  i;\'^Jr^«t^'r  ..tS'^P'  a^^.  an. 
captain  of  /h        '^  ^"  ^^d  salt  — wh.'  u    'i^^'Pt^w  W. 

te5  'o  We  fo^e  ts^i,r^-  :rr  -"^s 

The  gun  ^^,    .  ""  ^^^^  cut-throat, 

*«  aid  of  the  «L  f,  ""°'^«  «'«ared  a^v  *f  P««k- 
yard  wa£  cut  f  „  '  "  *^«  Perceired  th,??'  "'"'  *'«> 
OS  was  kept  u„T-  u^"  "^"halge  rf  L"?  ""'^het- 
had  Kained  ,.    '^  '"''  ''a""  an   houf  rf    ■^'"'  between 

»e.t^Sn,"rth''V'«^'  «'  S  all  "'''^''  ^" 
'*=('-een  the  ?wo"l ''"'«»<«'   ^as  so    "''«'•. and  the 

ahead-, ha,  thefriJ^-"""  «»"*  abT.  1""='«»«'J 

"Pon  a  wind.         '^*"«  »«"«  «P  the  chw"  .i'^  »««• 

The  shark  befc  '    "**  """'«» 

'"?  on,  al,ho«gr^"th''''"^'*  ''^  'till  in  sj^u,  ,  „ 
"ater  at  th»  Jf     i      *ip  was   bnim^;         ?"''  fo'low- 

"<'  of  one  e  "'V^  *'«'«"  tnos.''^*"!"'"'*''  the 

»ith  man/o7rhe /,!'  "•  *<"*«  "read  te«,t7f  '"'"'  Sot 
other  stiil  kl'^f'"""'  reference  toth"!^  to  prevail 

''atch  belowrSh^  "'"''^y-     It  wi*  "!?  "^  ">« 

'"-o-t  the  shar^  OneTd""' '"P-"  "^  o^'S:'""'" 
^as  coming  hnm«  r       ^^  ^^^'or  affirmed  ,?®f^*<^n  was 

^n  "P  in  hjs  hammock. 


i  < 


102 


LIFE    ON   THE   OCEAN. 


M 


and  thrown  overboard ;  and  that  the  shark  was  seen  fif- 
teen minutes  before  he  was  launched  into  the  deep,  but 
that  no  man  on  board  saw  him  afterwards.  Another 
sailor  swore  that,  on  an  outward-bc  and  voyage  to  the 
West  Indies,  a  shark  followed  the  brig  twenty-four  hours; 
at  the  expiration  of  which  period,  one  of  the  crew  fell 
from  the  mast-head  overboard,  and  that  the  shark  seized 
him  as  quick  as  he  struck  the  water. 

At  11  A.  M.,  the  Spanish  frigate  was  out  of  sight,  and 
at  meridian,  the  wind  hauled  to  the  larboard  quarter, 
the  starboard  studding-sails  were  taken  in,  and  as  there 
were  no  light  sails  set  forward,  having  run  all  the 
morning  before  the  wind,  orders  were  given  to  loose 
the  fore-topgallant-sails,  and  set  the  larboard  topgallant 
studding-sails.  The  top-men  in  the  larboard  watch  had 
already  come-  down  from  the  tops ;  and,  as  I  belonged  to 
the  fore-top  at  this  time,  I  sprang  into  the  rigging; 
another  top-man  following  me  as  soon  as  the  order  was 
given.  While  ascending  the  futtock  shrouds,  to  get 
into  the  topmast  rigging,  the  man-rope,  which  had  been 
fitted  but  a  few  days  before,  parted,  causing  me  to  fall ; 
in  my  descent,  I  struck  my  shipmate,  which  broke  his 
hold,  and  threw  him  overboard,  while  I  caught  by  the 
lanyards  of  the  fore-rigging.  We  rounded  to  im- 
mediately, and  carried  away  many  of  our  light  spars; 
but  the  poor  fellow  was  never  seen  afterwards,  and  the 
awful  tragedy  of  his  fate  was  soon  manifest  by  the  traces 
of  blood  which  were  seen  upon  the  surface  of  the  water. 
The  shark,  however,  was  seen  no  more. 

October  28.  —  Our  next  destination  was  the  Gulf  of 
California ;  but,  as  it  was  probable  that  the  frigate  would 
go  into  Acapulco,  it  was  thought  most  prudent  by  Cap- 
tain W.  to  delay  the  time  of  entering  the  gulf  to  a  re- 
moter period ;  and  it  was  therefore  concluded  to  spend 
a  month  in  taking  seals  at  Shelvack's  Island. 

All  sail  was  made,  and  we  steered  away  from  the 
west-north-west  with  a  cracking  breeze  from  the  east- 
ward.    From  the  circumstance  of  the  chase,  and  thai 
loss  of  one  among  the  best  seamen  we  had  on  board, 


tak( 

opii 

crafi 

belo 

Was 

bein^ 

Che  si 

same 

while 

that  a 

niainn 

it  mad 

Jack  a 

daring 

remind 
^ingat 
of  the 
said  he 
gt^ilant-i 
iy  before 
topsails  ] 

any  canv 
t'on,  for , 

of  the  sa 

"Holdoi 

sprang  ou 

pasp  aroi 

"ad  been  i 

or  the  voy 

*ne  foretop; 

'f"0"Xd( 

?«all  have  [ 

'^  this  craft 

some  bad  , 

^"oer  kind . 

P.ns  to-nigh, 

'  a"  the  Work 

10 


ei 

0 


hSM 


^N  THK    oCEAir. 


-"•='  we  Air. 
^^^".^"CS"'""  "''"""r  recent  „■  ,      ' 

-ft  -aain.s:t"  """•'r.he^^'rT''  "^^ 

belonged  to  Bos,!!»  ^  •?'?•     ^  youthful  =       *"'  <»>' 
^as  on  the  «    ?"'  '^^  ««t he  M^rt.     .'f'man,  who 

««'»«  planked  tlh'-  ""^  fcrrha^'h'?  *!!*»  ""e 

»»™«  youth  »«:'.■""'  """oke  the  rih.!,?'  ^''  *W!tured 
"'bile  rC  l;^"""''  ^""hennore   thJif"  °"'«'-    The 

Bain-tODMii  „?J"^°'e''b<>ard  in  th,^?*.?  *?  I^^^erpool 
Jack  SaMrvIr7,,°?*P  '»P>ession  uZT  m  '*■'?*'''«<' ">af 
feo-ind  mr^L'f;'",''?»8«"us  duty  t«1,l""»  ">«  Mos 

sa"!  he  one  ni.ht  „Im  '""<'  <<>'  yoiraelf  ^  ""^  •'»«'» 
gKllant-sail  in  a  hi'  '"'^  ''e  Were  fS5'.K^''"i.''8"ef." 
'y  before  "he  wlr?  I?"""-    Sht  3„n-'  'j"""'?- 

any  canirassfn  «    !•* '''"''"  on  the  can  Ih^  ""eavijjr;  the 

of  'he^S  f™S  tT'"  «  8"»«^f  wi^dTot'l^S"- 
"Hold  oni'v.h„^^/™«P.  and  threwT  ''  *«  'eech 
^P-aog  out'on'i"'"*''  'ack,  and  Zlai^l  ""^'f  "y  head. 

1|'e«'  kind  of  feehnfr  '  """^  "ow  TtT'b  "'  p"""!  '» 
P'nsto-n.Vht  iril^''*'P<":'alIy  when  rl         '  "*  had 


^ 


104 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEikN. 


Other ;  but  I  say,  youngster,  when  my  flipper  is  within 
grabbing-hold  of  your  carcass,  you're  safe,  or  we  both 
go  to  Davy  Jones's  together."  Jack  meant  just  what  he 
said,  for  he  was  as  true-hearted  a  sailor  as  ever  floated 
upon  the  ocean. 

November  4.  —  During  the  preceding  seven  days,  the 
wind  continued  fresh  from  the  eastward,  and  the 
weather  generally  good ;  occasionally,  however,  inter- 
rupted with  severe  squalls  of  wind  and  rain.  This 
morning  was  cloudy,  and  appearances  indicated  that  the 
island  was  not  far  distant,  for  land  birds  appeared,  and 
pieces  of  wood  were  seen  floating  on  the  water ;  and  in- 
deed we  expected  to  make  the  island  that  day,  and  were 
not  disappointed  in  our  hopes,  for,  at  4  P.  M.,  ^'  Land 
ho!"  was  sung  out  from  the  mast-head,  bearing  west- 
north-west,  distant  12  leagues.  Its  appearance,  at  first 
sight,  from  its  immense  height,  was  like  a  cloud  rising 
from  the  sea ;  but  the  practised  eye  of  the  seaman  aloft 
soon  distinguished  it  to  be  land,  from  the  deep  blue  in- 
dented lines  and  spots  which  marked  its  summit.  All 
the  light  sails  were  now  taken  in,  and  the  courses,  jib, 
and  spanker,  were  furled,  and  the  usual  preparations  made 
for  coming  to  an  anchor  The  distance  from  the  island 
being  so  great  that  it  was  impossible  to  reach  the  an- 
chorage-ground before  night  shut  in,  we  ran  along,  under 
easy  sail,  until  midnight,  and  then  hove  to,  the  island 
being  in  sight. 

November  6.  —  At  daylight,  the  island  was  about  six 
miles  distant,  and  the  anchorage  was  at  the  extreme 
£,uuth-west  end;  bore  away,  and  stood  in.  At  eight 
A.  M.,  rounded  the  westernmost  point,  and  anchored 
with  the  small  bower  in  fifteen  fathoms  water,  one 
mile  from  the  shore.  At  this  island  vessels  have  no 
shelter  whatever,  and  it  is  well  that  in  these  lati- 
tudes storms  of  long  duration  are  not  prevalent.  The 
shore,  with  one  or  two  Kxceptions,  is  completely  lined 
with  rocks,  which  would  inevitably  prove  fatal  to  any 
ship  that  should  be  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  driven 
OM  shore.     The   island  is  high,  and  presents  a  most  un- 


ppomii 
whole 
stones, 
verdun 
hospita 
detache 
wide,  ai 
island,  t 
sents  th. 
scarcely 
^tween 
the  first 
could  be 
ej^er,  for 
did  We  1 
considera 
must  be  d 
p^ption,  a 
indented  r 
found  on  t 
We  wer 
numbers  o] 
their  usual 
sun.    We  tl 
quiet  for  an 
curious  sigl 
arrangemeni 
''^^S.  the  m 
J  the  old  clap. 

bT^itQme  left. 
Jwmed  from 
1%  yards  ui 
Jthe  most  ad 
(Jack  ofi^  int, 
J/he  old  seal 
r«y-  As  th, 
pe,  and  not 
F«»ied  quiet 
p«i«'  nap,  ill  i\ 


"^•B    ON  THE    OCEAN.  j^^ 

vridf^  aJwi     ,  .  '"®  "lain  one  hv  o    u       '  '**""«^  Jsiand 

»n«s  the  most  t«r'  ''"''  '"^^a^HeS'.^ '"«>«' 

"'"reelF  cS^I     '"«  contrast;  so  thit  .^'  ^^.  P"*' 

l«»wee^  the  t"f?5' """"«"'<>»  eVe,  to  h!  """''  <=»" 

*«  fi«tow7°  "'«»<'?•    We  landed  MourbL?"'""' 
coiiM  K„     •'       ^®  "ad  in  view  moo  ♦  "^  boats,  and 

--derat',7„,^':'/'«  7  "ayXte"::^''- 

»»mbero7  Z  ?rawfi„rr  """^  •'"'•o'e  we  saw  ereat 
^he.r  n^a.  custom  :::7:p- a  »"dyb«.eh,  ^li^ 

ran     W^e  threw  oureelves  on  ^'^'    ■'  ""*  ''^e^t  of  the 
Lk   °.* ,      '"aie  seal.  tafcPB  a  c*  .•         "®  loilows;  An  «m 

\ZZ^^  "Pon  the  beach  -?„1   V  '*'"""'=«  of  about 
l<l"'y.     As  .hf       °''*  mentioned  oevJlf      "''alarm. 

rvvo  hours,  and  tUcn 


>*. 


'"•■'•■■wiBKa&iftttt, 


106 


LIFE   ON  THS    OCEAN. 


saw  them  back  quietly  off  into  the  water,  the  old  seals 
being  the  last  to  submerge  into  the  waves.  The  next 
day  it  was  determined  that  a  party,  consisting  of  forty 
men,  should  land  early,  for  the  purpose  of  killing  seals, 
and  the  necessary  preparations  were  made,  such  as  pro- 
curing clubs,  with  an  iron  ring  at  one  end,  stakes, 
beams,  &c.,  to  dry  the  skins  upon. 

November  8.  —  Early  this  morning  we  repaired  to  the 
shore,  making   a  division  of  our  number;   one  i^^irty 
taking  the  extreme  right  of  the  sand-beach,  and  the 
other  party  the  extreme   left.     At  either  end  of  this 
beach  there  were  rocks,  upon  which  the  parties  lay,  so 
as  to  be  hid  from  the  seals.     Upon  a  signal  given,  both 
parties  were  to  rush  simultaneously  between  the  seals  and 
the  water,  and  commence  the  dire  work  of  slaying  as 
fast  as  possible.     We  lay  on  the  rocks  nearly  four  hours 
before  a  single  seal  made  its  appearance.     At  length, 
about  half  past  ten,  some  old  whigs  and  clap-matches 
came  to  the  shore,  followed  by  great  numbers  of  younger 
and   smaller  seals.     They  proceeded   to  form  in  the 
same  order  as  before  described,  and  it  was  not  until 
half  past  eleven  that  the  last  of  them  came  on  shore. 
The  sun  shone  exc  edingly  warm,  and  the  seals  soon 
fell   asleep.     There  were  two  old  sealers  among  the 
crew,  who  said  it  would  not  do  to  attack  them  for  half 
an  hour.     This  "  rookery  "  (which  is  the  name  given 
by  sealers  to  a  large    number  collected  together)  was 
thought  by  the  second  oflScer,  Mr.  C,  to  contain  twenty 
thousand.     The  time  arriving  for  the  attack,  the  signal 
was  made ;  we  rushed  with  impetuosity  down  the  rocks 
on  the  beach,  between  the  seals  and  the  water,  and  with 
an  unsparing  hand  began  the  work  of  death.     A  slight 
blow  with  the  club  on  the  head  was  sufficient  for  the 
young  "  pups,"  but  it  was  not  quite  so  easy  a  task  with 
the  old  "  whigs  "  and  "  clap^matches ; "  and  the  work  of 
death  with  them  was  attended  with  some  hazard ;  espe- 
cially  if,  in  the  rencounter,  the  man  should  happen  to 
fall ;  in  that  case  he  would  be  torn  to  pieces  by  these 
huge  animals,  for  their  mouths  are  as  large  as  that  of  a 


K 


^> 


•  "«'«    ON   THE    OCEAI^ 

hon.     This  batti  ' 

ing  the  first  in  which  T"*  "f  considerable  terrnr  •*  u 
fi^er  witnessed     u^    *  '"^^e  one  of  thTJf?^''  '^  '>«-'^ 
maddenedTLn^''^^  ^"^  the  roar  nl  ofTS'^^'ii*''  ''^^^ 

P«pe,  together tC^t"\^"^  *h«  ye"pfn;'onhe'  '^'*^^' 
«^y  mind,  a  kind  If  p^  i^^"^«  o^  the  cfew  fn  ^?"8^ 
slJould  have  h«  ^^"^^emoniun,  scenp  r  '  ""^"^^  ^° 
The  work  o?H  !?  ^^^eedingly  glad  n\  "*  '^^'*^''  ^ 
the  s^LJ^^®*^'' was  soon  oLfh.       ^^""^  «««aped. 

'l-ey  belonged  ;^'«"«J  probably  the  Cel  1^'k'"? 
for  want  of  Z-Z^-'  *"<*  these  noor  flu  '"'"«'• 

•oborate^, V^I^'o-oand  water. ^hfa  M?  '""'*'^' 
tat,  and  r.  party  fell  in  wi.u  ,?  '^^  was  cor- 
neC^^Tl^  f'^  Where  &I^  w't'"'""'  <"■« 
It  was  „1     """"'^ed  together  i!^^   '*«''   ™adc. 

,  "•«^"lce"TvroT:!l^*''«  Stes'sCul'S't  «™"'"'- 
ciemly  dr/to  1  /     ''*y''  before  thev  w„.  li  !"""  "" 

«gainst_„e  Jrn!  ^^'  ^^  «  Partv  leftM        ''.*  '«"« 

leer,  ^hicr^T'J^* '^b^.^<^pU   l]I"lf  '"em 

presumed  »„  2^  *®*"  o"  the  hill.   .  ?*  *  ""^  «wne 

P"ringo,;rT?"'l"*'"'«f  «ar<y  them  .ff"*  '"'J''  «  Was 


106 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


ment  of  about  three  thousand  two  hundred  skins— »a 
valuable  acquisition  for  the  Canton  market. 

November  11.  —  As  we  had  seen  a  number  of  deer 
upon  the  small  island,  a  party  was  sent  ashore  in  three 
boats,  to  endeavor,  if  possible,  to  kill  some  of  them. 
Twenty  men  landed,  and  ascended  in  a  body  to  the 
most  elevated  part.  Separating,  and  spreading  them- 
selves, they  descended  at  the  same  time,  shouting  at  the 
top  of  their  voices,  which  frightened  the  deer,  and,  as  is 
usual  with  them  when  hotly  chased,  they  took  to  the 
water.  The  boat's  crew,  being  in  readiness,  shot  seven, 
and  caught  two  alive,  one  of  which  became  so  tame, 
that  he  would  feed  like  a  puppy  about  the  decks,  and 
we  carried  him  the  voyage  round. 

November  15. — During  the  preceding  days,  a  part  of 
the  crew  were  employed  in  the  usual  duties  of  the  ship, 
while  others  were  engaged  in  exploring  the  island. 
Nothing  new  or  rare,  however,  was  obtained  from  this 
inhospitable  spot.  We  caught  fish  in  great  numbers; 
and,  if  fresh  water  could  have  been  obtained,  our  sojourn 
there  would  have  been  exceedingly  advantageous. 

November  16.  —  The  skins,  being  now  completely 
dry,  were  packed  in  boxes,  and  taken  off  to  the  ship, 
and  the  remainder  of  this  day,  as  well  as  the  17th,  we 
were  engi^ed  in  killing  sea-elephants,  two  of  which  we 
captured  with  much  difficulty,  having  fired  about  a 
dozen  musket-balls  into  their  bodies,  and  lanced  them 
until  they  were  literally  cut  to  pieces.  Incredible  as  it 
may  appear,  one  of  them  yielded  seven  barrels  of  ^il. 


U  .  ^'^ 


ji;it«-«t*.r'  -u»y^ 


i4l  w^ 


SAIL  F( 
AGRE 

Nov 
for  wh 
remaine 
Captain 
immedii 
at  8  A. 
ward,  ar 
the  wea 
and  varii 
gree  wor 
cially  as 
cargo  on 
a  long  en 
yet,  even 
board,  as 
Novemi 
of  note  or 
shifts  of  n 

Gulf  of  Ca 
Capt.  W.  x^ 

'y>  was  we 
guine  in  tl 
terminate  tl 
after  which 
of  sohie  an 
and,  if  pogg 

Novemhei 

I  °ay  of  Guir 

Cape  Corieni 

MWd  its  beat 

11 


'•*r^ri      109 


mi 


•'  r 


CHAPTER  X. 


■^11.  FOR  THE  GULF  Or  CALIFORnm 

THE  SPANIARDS  AT  OUIMAS. 

November  18  \xr    .    , 

for  which  we  had  rZ.        "<*w  completed  thp  nK- 

immediatelv  tn  *u   >,  ,  "^  *»cnr  no  ri^t  i«    *^*"^°''  O' 

«'ong  cruise  before  L^:*^"™'" ''  «°d  "'thonrh  we  Cf 

fc t^T"*"'  •~'5«d''-":vte°*'»8  worthy 
Iv  ir-  T  ""  oM  °o«h-wIt  f™-,    "  '°  "^""k.  that 

and^if  possible,  to  procure  ot/il  J"^'^"^  ^^  ^^^^  coast 

,     Nmemher  2%^TiTl  m   ^""^^"^  i"  exchange.        ' 

%  of  Guimas,  whfch  ,ies  li^^:^  ^^  ^<^^o'  in  the 

Upe  Conentes.     At  10  A  M      ^   .^"^^  eastwarf  of 

W  "*  Doidlyin,  and  anchored 


r-m* 

lii 


»«■ 


vi> 


w 


\3 


110 


LirE    ON    THE    OCEAir^ 


1   „ 


■with  the  small  botver,  in  ten  fathoms  water,  two  mileg 
from  the  shore.    This  town,  although  small,  is  garrisoned 
by  a  fort  mounting  ten  guns,  with  a  complement  of  fifty 
men  under  the  command  of  a  colonel.     It  is  a  place  of 
some  importance,  because  it  is  the  nearest  port  on  the 
Pacific  Ocean  to  the  city  of  Mexico.     The  reason  for 
our  anchoring  at  so  great  a  distance,  was  to  be  out  of 
gun-shot  of  the  fort,  and  avoid  all  intercourse  until  we 
could  settle  upon  a  plan  of  operations  for  trade.     The 
whole  of  this  day  we  waited  anxiously  for  some  com- 
munication from  the  shore,  but,  as  none  was  apparent, 
we  lifted  our  anchor  and  dropped  in  so  as  to  be  within 
•hort  gun-shot  of  the  fort.     This  was  done  in  order  to 
cover  our  boats,  it  being  the  intention  to  land  next 
morning.     During  the  night,  a  sharp  look-out  was  kept 
up.    In  the  morning,  according  to  previous  arrangement, 
a  boat,  bearing  the  white  flag  in  the  bows,  was  sent 
on  shore,  under  the  command  of  the  third  officer,  with 
the  interpreter.     They  were  received  very  courteously 
by  the  colonel,  and  the  strongest  expressions  of  pleasure 
and  satisfaction  were  evinced  at  the  sight  of  our  noble 
ship,  more  especially  when  they  understood  the  nature 
of  our  business.     It  Was  said  by  them  that  no  foreign 
ship  had  ever  visited  this  place,  and  that  the  whole 
country  was  in  the  greatest  want  of  articles,  such  as 
linens  of  every  description,  muslins,  cottons,  &-c.     None 
of  those  fabrics  were  to  be  had  throughout  the  whole 
coast  and  country,  except  in  the  city  of  Mexico.     The 
colonel  was  politely  ir.v'ited  to  go  on  board,  which  in- 
vitation he  immediately  accepted,  and  no   distrust  or 
fear  was  manifested  by  any  of  the  Spaniards,  who  had 
Come    down  in    great  numbers    to  the  beach   where 
the  boat  landed.     The  boat  returned  to  the  ship  with 
the  Spanish  colonel,  who  was  received  with  the  most 
marked  attention,  and  he  seemed  perfectly  amazed  and 
delighted  when  he  beheld  the  beautiful  symmetry  of 
our  ship,  her  perfect  cleanliness,  and  the  order  and  regu- 
larity of  her  battery ;  and  no  marvel,  for  this  was  the 
first  time  he  had  ever  set  his  foot  on  board  of  a  ship. 


He 

BUfi 

opii 

by  1 

cone 

trad( 

of  w 

despi 

obtai 

dutiei 

deteri 

of  du 

that  1 

Was  ^-i 

eral  hi 

the  nan 

ofmusj 

band,  a 

"  migh 

afforded 

heard  b« 

selves  c 

the  deli( 

sweet  so 

every  th 

«^eanh*nei 
other  dut 

!J<5ei  in  t.i 
^•^ery  mo 
^^d  decojR 
civilized  n 
Were  on 
'^Pt  up  be 
ftiany  of  t| 
'[om  time 
wem  more 

§?/»'  «s  it  w 

^*e  great 

*«88  of  mai 


""   OW  THE    oC£.^. 

«e  appeared  to  reirard  #».      ^  "^ 

superior  beings  i^^fiT  '*®  ^'^^^ers  and  cren.  » 

opinion  in  r«jS'  *^  ^'*«  ^me  time  elj        ^  a  race  of 

considerationT  ^'***«'  degree  than  it     ^"'"^"ified 
trade,  S^^'l"^^^^^^  would  !„duee  ii^f  "^  ^"«-     ^^o 

despatch  a  coiSw^"^  '^^^  ^^^^^ast  Zuhtt/''^^^'''''^' 
o^l^in  pe„„r3  ^^  immediately  to  thTc"a^  ^4^^^ ^  .^° 
duties.    This  was  a  ?/•«        '-.^^  '^'e"  as  the  fi,^,?  '''°'  ^° 
determined  to  i^i.    ^^'.'  ^"^  '•«asonabJe  a^H  n     "^'^  ^^^ 
^r  duties,  it  waTa  L^''""'^y  ^^^  resuU      i,?^/?'^  ^• 
that  we  oLr^  5  '"®'®  matter  of  mo„Li,-     *"*  ^^^  'ate 
was  ^^en  t^the^.  r""ssion   to  ^71?  •*"  ."^>  «> 

eral  invitation  wlTJr  '?  ^^'«^*  ^rj  ship  Id '""^'""'^ 
the  same  effect  /l  ''"  '^'^'^  *«  «»  theikhlt^  ^^'" 
of  musiciansih^  K  J^^S  ^"'  crew  there  J  ^'"'^^'^^^  to 

swee.  sounds.  TI  w^rf'C^  -«h  nonces' o? 

»<1  dLS'fif  «""/"  fi^dTadd°h?f J""  'he  ship. 

"ere  on  TL^' '"  S^^'ion  «o  a  numSf  J  ?'"'™'  '"'•'r 
V  up  be^„  J^""*'  frSly '&f » ^"ici 
many  of  ,h7  a    "?*  'nhabitants  our  V^«i      "'""^  wa»  i 

f'^mttet  f '^"«'»'  of  both  Z^a''"';,  '"•'  <=«"'; 

poor  as  it  wa«  t^lu  "8^  ®^se  was  our  rZ,  ■  ^oi^ght 
The  g«»r";,^,^f ;«  '-as  a  source  "of  ^''iir'"'"'' 
»«»»  of  many  of^'°^,  complexion,  beauty   Md^'^ 


MR 


*"i*«'M»mti«it.,.,i,. 


112 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


caused  a  number  of  the  young  Spanish  damsels  to  lose 
their  hearts. 

The  news  of  our  arrival  having  spread  abroad  in  the 
country,  great  numbers  came  down  and  pitched  their 
tents,  so  as  to  have  a  fair  view  of  the  ship ;  and  it  is 
no  exaggeration  in  stating,  that  at  least  one  million  of 
Spanish  dollars,  platina,  and  old  plate,  were  lying  on 
the  beach  in  their  tents,  brought  here  for  the  pur- 
pose of  trade.  Indeed,  many  of  their  cooking  utensils, 
as  well  as  other  articles  of  furniture,  weye  made  of 
silver.  But  they  were  destitute  of  almost  every  article 
of  wearing  apparel,  and  it  was  curious  to  see  the 
Spaniards  With  their  families.  The  dress  of  the  male 
consisted  of  a  straw  hat,  a  camisa,  or  shirt,  of  coarse 
linen,  and  breeches  of  the  same  material,  with  old 
silk  stockings,  procured,  as  we  understood,  from  the 
city  of  Mexico,  and  a  pair  of  thin  slippers,  which  com- 
pleted his  whole  costume.  The  dress  of  the  females 
(some  of  whom  were  beautiful,  especially  the  younger 
part)  corresponded  exactly,  as  to  quality,  with  that  of  the 
males ;  their  garments  were  made  badly,  and  worn  sloven- 
ly. Such,  then,  is  the  description  of  a  Spaniard  and  his 
family,  who  had  with  them  at  least  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars. I  have  actually  seen  a  young  female,  whose  vest- 
ments were  not  worth  one  dollar,  wearing  a  string  of 
pearls  around  her  neck  which  would  sell  in  any  Eu- 
ropean market  for  a  thousand. 

December  7.  —  This  day,  despatches  were  received 
from  Mexico  by  the  Spanish  colonel,  granting  us  per- 
mission to  sell  the  cargo  ,*  with  the  proviso  that  fifteen 
per  cent,  duties,  should  be  secured  to  the  government. 
This  was  good  news,  indeed,  for  a  few  days  of  unin- 
terrupted business  would  close  our  operations  on  the 
Spanish  coast.  All  of  the  officers  were  employed  in 
effecting  sales  of  the  cargo  ;  and  so  great  was  the  demand 
for  linens  of  every  description,  that,  incredible  as  it  may 
appear,  coarse  Irish  linens  sold  from  eighty  to  one  hun- 
dred dollars  per  piece  ;  German  platillas  at  eighty  dollars 
per  piece ;  silk  stockings  eighty-four  dollars  per  dozen, 


MS' 


n* 


^WEOWTHE   OCEAN.  , 

calicoes  from  four  f«  113 

wticle  of  inerrh«L-     ®^®"  ^o"ars  ner  v«r^ 

given  on  board  to  rh/^Q  "'^^'-Parties  were  fin  ^?' 
«ent  was  returnl^  k  ^P^'^^ds,  and  thi  «L  ^"®"^^J^ 
many  oTthl      ^  ^y  ^^^^  to  the  rL*  •  ^®  ^^^n^P^i- 

S  /  and  wh'^  '*!«'">'on  such  4  T  '?'^^''  '^"h 
of.  she  wooll^  "  'he  departure  of  ,^  Ih*  P'*=«  ««'>l<i 

rmmmm 

December  22  —  Th«  i      ^. 


!!i», 


114 


LIFE    ON   THE   OCEAN. 


^ 


that  market,  and  some  articles  which  were  expressly 
adapted  to  the  northern  coast,  to  barter  for  otter-skins. 
The  amount  of  our  sales  in  this  place  was  one  hundred 
and  forty  thousand  dollars ;  say,  ninety  thousand  Spanish 
dollars,  forty  thousand  dollars  in  old  plate,  and  ten  thou- 
sand  dollars  in  platina  and  pearls. 

<  We  filled  all  our  water-casks,  got  off  twenty  bullocks 
and  great  quantities  of  fruit :  here,  also,  were  yams  in 
great  abundance,  a  good  substitute  for  potatoes,  an  arti- 
cle of  all  others  the  most  desirable  for  the  ship's  com- 
pany ;  consequently,  we  took  on  board  a  large  supply. 

December  23.  —  As  the  time  of  our  departure  was  fixed 
for  the  25th,  a  large  and  splendid  dinner  was  given  on 
board  by  Capt^  W.  to  about  fifty  Spanish  ladies  and 
gentlemen.     In  the  morning,  the  ship  was  dressed,  the 
yards  were  manned,  and  a  national  salute  was  fired. 
The   day  passed  off  with  great  glee  and  merriment, 
and  to  the  unspeakable  satisfaction  of  all  parties.     An 
hour  before  sunset,  when  the  company  was  about  to 
return  on   shore,  the  yards  were  again  manned,   and 
another  salute  given ;  and  thus  ended  the  intercourse, 
which  to  them  was  highly  gratifying,  and  to  us  exceed^ 
ingly  profitable.     On  the  afternoon  of  the  24th,  being 
on  shore  with  the  boats,  I  had  an  opportunity  of  wit- 
nessing the  apparent  estimation  with  which  these  people 
regarded  us.     They  were  aware  that  this  was  the  last 
interview  that  we  should  have  with  them,  and  they  ap- 
peared to  regret  it  exceedingly.     To  some  of  the  crew 
they  presented  crucifixes,  and  to  others  a  rosary  of  beads, 
or  a  precious  relic  of  some  saint.    One  of  the  young 
senoritas  gave  a  youthful  sailor  an  image  of  the  Virgin, 
and  requested  him  to  wear  it  over  the  region  of  the 
heart.     She  assured  him  that  it  would  be  a  protection 
in  the  hour  of  danger,  ^c.    After  having  loaded  us  with 
presents,  we  exchanged  the  parting  adieus,  not  without 
feelings  of  regret  and  sorrow  on  both  sides,  as  we  had 
spent  many  pleasant  hours  in  this  place. 

December  25.  —  Weighed  anchor  and  made  all  sail, 
with  a  fine  breeze  from  the  eastward,  and  stood  out  of 


boats  oi 

that  nc 

Principa 

<*uimas, 

there. 

loaded  t 

board,  ar 

h  Capu 

Northern 

decern 

one  breez 

the  norths 

the  Bay  o 

Spanish  c( 

from  cruis 

Q'sposed  o 

.^ere  the  fe 

"nportance 

of  the  ship 

*«^o  ports  o] 

"Wpose  of  ^ 

January 


ixpressly 
:er-8kins. 
hundred 
,  Spanish 
en  thou- 

bullocks 
yams  in 
,  an  art!- 
ip's  com- 
supply. 
vas  fixed 
given  on 
dies  and 
ssed,  the 
as  fired, 
erriment, 
;ies.  An 
about  to 
[led,  and 
;ercourse, 
s  exceed- 
th,  being 
y  of  wit- 
se  people 
the  last 
they  ap- 
the  crew 
of  beads, 
le  young 
le  Virgin, 
m  of  the 
jrotection 
d  us  with 
t  without 
5  we  had 


^'^«    ON   THE    OCEAN. 

the  Bay  of  Guimas  to  th  ^^ 

«gret,  which  seemed  /^  "^'^'^^^'•d.  The  f^.v  . 
on  leaving  thU^T  P^'^^e  the  minJl  T^i'^S^^  ^^ 
was  the  fifst  solf°'''   "^^'^   very  nSi  ""t  '^^  "«^ 

water^t!  '  "^?  anchored  at  6  PM   ^    ^'°°^  'n  ii'ith  a 
^04;  f^,""'*!  from  .he  shofe    ■i-i  •  r"""**"  fethon,' 

disTOMd  ^^'     '*  ''°*  at  an  Ind     n?       "PP^hended 


i^ , 


116 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


I  ■ 


and  cloudy,  with  occasional  squalls,  and,  although  we 
were  yet  within  the  limits  of  the  trade  winds,  we 
had  no  steady  trades  since  we  left  the  parallel  of  2(P 
north. 

January  2.  —  We  had  strong  breezes  and  cloudy 
weather,  which  obliged  us  to  take  in  our  light  sails. 
Indeed,  we  had  been  cruising  so  long  on  the  Spanish 
coast,  with  uninterrupted  fine  weather  and  fair  winds, 
that  the  changes  which  we  now  began  to  experience, 
while  increasing  our  latitude,  proved  quite  a  novelty. 

January  4.  —  This  day,  as  well  as  the  preceding,  we 
continued  under  a  press  of  sail,  standing  to  the  north- 
ward. At  meridian,  observed  in  latitude  31°  29'.  The 
land  being  in  sight,  stood  in  for  the  Bay  of  Todos  Santos, 
which  lies  in  the  parallel  of  31°  36'  north  latitude,  116° 
22'  west  longitude.  At  5.  P.  M.,  anchored  in  ten 
fathoms  water,  three  miles  from  the  shore. 

January  5.  —  Sent  the  boats  on  shore  to  look  for  the 
best  landing-place,  with  orders  to  proceed  with  great 
caution ;  and  in  no  case  to  land,  if  they  saw  any  appear- 
ance of  treachery  among  the  Indians.     The  boats  pro- 
ceeded, and  found  it  difficult  to  land,  the  water  being 
shoal  at  a  great  distance  from  the  be'^'^h,  and  the  breakers 
reaching  at  least  half  a  mile  outside ;  although  they 
were  not  high,  yet  oftentimes  they  would  capsize  the 
boats.     The  men,  however,  effected  a  landing,  to  the 
great  surprise  of  the  Indians  and  Spari<trds  who  were 
there,  and  who  pointed  out  a  landing-place  farther  to  the 
westward,  of  much  greater  security.     The  object  of 
our  visit  was  made  known  to  them,  and  several  went 
off  to  the  ship,  and  a  trade  was  soon  commenced  in 
barter  for  otter'skins.     It  is  usual  farther  north,  when 
trading   with    the   Indians,   not  to  venture  on   shore 
unless  some  Indians  are  on  board  as  hostages ;  but  as, 
here,  the  natives  had  intercourse  with  Spaniards,  they 
were  neither  as  savage  or  treacherous  as  the  north-west 
Indians.     Yet  it  was  necessary,  even  here,  to  keep  a 
rigid  look-out,  especially  as  they  would  steal  every  thing , 
they  could  lay  their  hands  on ;  and,  when  ashorOj  it  was 


hecei 

shou] 

all  ou 

befoK 

party 

men  ^ 

Topr, 

went  c 

dians  c 

Duri 

the  Ind 

and  w€ 

naainin^ 

seven  tec 

harassed 

we  in  d 

on  shore 


jes, 

stant  alai 

^^i^lf  mat 

^orm  this 

we  filled 

bullocks, 

yams,  and 

Febrita^ 

'he  excepi 

bales  of  b 

and  fifty  t 

iare'  value 

pearls,  threi 

serenteen  h 

our  operatic 

''^e  were  to 

February 

jubilee  to  al, 

J  of  the  boatsv 

I  bands,  up  ar 

perry  tones , 

awimd  the  a 


tlTE    iM   1.BE    OcEAS. 

necessary  for  a,  t„  u  '  ^^f 

should  run  (L  h!     jP  '"'""'n  sight  of .(,«  k 

?«»-  cio^.i^g'"'^/'-  being  «rr;;'d'td'ro'bi,''r; 

-^ei-Sr-^'««^t'atf- 

•»»""ng  articles,  «,i  i!"*"»S  ^'^ay  nearlT  Jifu""*''' 
seventeen  hi,„rf  ' ,  "^eeived  on  bnaivi  •  '  "'«  •«- 
harassed  by^^^  o'ter-skins.     iiZ^^!  '"  exchange, 

^0  i"  daSLt''!, t'  -"•  Spanish  cS  T.^'^  "<" 
bullocks   il  t,  *««-<=a«ks,  repienlh„rPu'^^^^    H«e 

■    *us,  up  anchor,  a-hov»'>  ?'  ^"^nhe  nnef?   «  aiT 

Jaerry  tones  of  thL  a    ^ '    ~- neither  shall  //^  '     -^^ 


118 


Lire    ON   THE    OCEAir. 


11 


fiAeen  minutes  the  ship  was  under  royals,  her  head 
canted  to  port,  standing  out  of  the  Bay  of  Todos  Santos. 
Three  cheers  were  given  by  the  crew,  the  main-brace 
was  spliced,  the  watches  set,  and  at  meridian  the  land 
had  sunk  beneath  the  horizon  in  the  distance,  and  the 
ship  was  running  off  to  the  southward  with  a  strong 
breeze  from  the  northward. 

The  gloom  which  had  so  universally  pervaded  the 
ship's  company  had  now  entirely  disappeared,  owing 
partly  to  the  circumstance  that  our  future  operations 
would  be  legal,  but  mostly  to  the  fact  that  every  day 
would  bring  us  nearer  to  the  land  of  our  nativity.  It 
was  curious  to  behold  the  crew  in  the  dog-watch  on 
that  night.  Every  countenance  was  lighted  up  with 
intense  joy ;  mirth  and  merriment  prevailed,  while  the 
extra  allowance  of  grog  was  being  drunk  to  sweethearts 
and  wives.  The  more  calculating,  who  had  disposed  of 
their  adventures,  were  summing  up  the  whole  amount 
of  their  gains  when  the  cruise  should  be  up.  There 
were  a  large  number  of  this  latter  class,  but  a  much 
greater  part  of  the  crew  had  no  other  dependence  than 
their  wages,  and  a  pretty  round  sum  out  of  this  would 
be  deducted  for  clothing,  which  they  had  neglected  to 
provide  themselves  with  before  leaving  Boston.  My  old 
messmate,  Jack  Sawyer,  preserved  his  equanimity,  and 
took  advantage  of  every  favorable  opportunity,  in  our 
watch  below,  to  learn  to  read,  in  which  he  made  very 
fair  progress.  In  turn,  he  embraced  every  opportunity 
to  teach  me  seamanship,  and  making  me  his  constant 
companion,  at  every  job  of  work  going  on,  which  was  of 
signal  service  to  me.  i 

On  this  occasion,  while  most  of  the  crew  were  push- 
ing round  the  flowing  can.  Jack  seated  himself  on  a 
chest  by  nriy  side.  "  Now,  youngster,"  said  he,  "  you 
and  I  have  got  clear  with  whole  carcasses  from  them  cut* 
throat  Spaniards,  and  I've  been  thinking  that  it's  much 
better  to  sail  in  a  fair  trade  aboveboard,  than  to  be  dodg* 
ing  in  and  out,  and  afraid  of  every  craft  that  we  fall  in 
with,just  for  the  sake  of  a  few  dollars  j  why,"  continued 


he, 

that 

bett€ 

their 

"1 

in  th 

neithc 

admisi 

"and  I 
to  kno 
when  I 
him  — 
c/ear  of 
the  sava 
"Wh 
will  folJl 
first  you 
harbor  w 
Jt  will  be 
when  yoi 
tance  to  r 
we  shall  t 
and  the  p 
fupted  sen 
therefore  b 
f*!©  history 
"mtha 
*«e  iee  sic 
shoulder  wi 
^asnotun], 
and  as  it  ii 
ijl!^  begin  ti 
%ht  bells 
rHwho! 
1^0  leave  thei 
struck,  wher 
Jnjatesungoui 
r««s  all  on  dt 
12 


™.  "since  IVe  h..  j  ''9 

iliat  a  clean  set  n?^  '"'"  «'«<'  'h»f  book  l.„ 

•f'ter,  whe„  "  te«".  and  a  fair  W^'i  Tf  »  »<«»n 

■»  'h^  uL  vl^  ::",!'  •'«'k^  »  d?  ^4°' 11°  board?"''  , 

adm  ssion  into  fh  \    "  "  regular  set  n?  °"®  dajr, 

„  "  Tha.VT„:/''^,';7'^,,^):  of  hea^:„°^  ^^"  «"  i^ 

"Why,»^d?'«„r  are  now'^  ""'^'  »'«'  »«eer  oS 
will  foUoir  m„  .i'  •  •^"''''  ■''  we  live  to  .,».  i, 
«"tyou  mS^f!^:'~'I'"  put  you  in^*?'""*''^''''" 

r--Vo:  r  „*:^t^'7/^^A^^|- 
'«»ce  to  run  before  we  get  ^n'  ''*'*'  ^'^'''e  ^TaJ^l'" 

we  shall  touch  at  the  sI'h     '^'""'' '"'■ouKh  Ml*h*^ 
ind  the  probability^ ;      u*'"''  islands' for  ,V      ]"*"' 
rapled  series  nfi'^  J*'  ""»«  »«  will  ha™       **  """ys. 
«.'refo.?i':^''J<Sood  weather  all  thi  ^^  »« W 

(he  history  of  I?      ^i*""  Promise  you  W*       ^  *«" 

jwithV^rbr-^rd'A^  «"■"'■ "''"" 

%h7be"ls'':^not'  ^°"  "'^«°  -e  gtunTe  l^"'' 


■1 
I 


120 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN 


1'.;'^ 


obeyed ;  the  larboard  watch  went  on  deck,  the  starboard 
watch  turiied  in,  the  lights  were  all  put  out,  and  I  soon 
fell  into  a  deep  slumber  and  pleasing  dreams  of  my 
native  land,  until  1  was  aroused  by  three  heavy  sounds 
made  with  the  forescuttle  hatch,  the  shrill  whistle  of 
the  boatswain's  mate,  and  the  hoarse  cry  of  "  Starbow- 
lines  (fn  deck,  a-hoy ! "  The  watch  was  soon  relieved, 
and  the  topmen  took  their  stations.  The  ship  was  run- 
ning along  with  a  stiff  top-gallant  breeze,  the  wind 
being  a-beam. 

Our  situation  in  the  tops  was  not  quite  as  pleasant  as 
when  running  down  the  coast  of  Peru  ;  but  as  we  were 
running  to  the  southward,  to  take  the  strength  of  the 
trade  winds,  when  in  the  parallel  of  the  Sar>dw'.ch 
Islands,  of  course  we  expected  steady  winds  and  good 
weather. 

February  8.  —  This  day  was  ushered  in  with  strong 
breezes  from  the  northward,  and  dark,  cloudy  weather. 
As  we  did  not  expect  to  have  any  more  use  for  our  guns 
at  present,  they  were  housed  and  secured,  the  anchors 
were  stowed,  the  cables  unbent  and  coiled  away,  and 
the  usual  routine  of  duty,  such  as  knotting  yarns,  making 
rope,  repairing  sails,  &.c.,  was  carried  on. 

The  last  two  months,  there  was  a  scarcity  of  tobacco 
on  board ;  the  stock  which  had  been  laid  in  by  the  cap- 
tain had  run  out — many  of  the  seamen  having  used  up 
their  last  morsel,  and  then  resorted  to  the  expedient  of 
buying  up  old  soldiers ;  others  giving  five  dollars  for  a 
plug  of  tobacco  whidi  would  cost  about  six  and  a 
quarter  cents  in  the  United  States.  I  have  seen  an  old 
sailor  overhaul  his  chest  three  times  in  the  course  of 
one  day,  in  search  of  tobacco.  At  length,  the  wants  of 
the  men  for  the  precious  weed  became  so  great,  that 
if  one  was  known  to  have  any  in  his  posssession,  he 
was  sure  to  be  relieved  of  it  in  some  way.  Many  com* 
plaints  were  made  to  the  captain  for  redfess,  when  the 
following  expedient  settled  the  whole  matter.  Captain 
W.  requested  every  man  who  had  tobacco  in  his  pos- 
saissioTi  to  bring  it  aft,  aiid,  in  the  presence  of  the  whole 


en 

poi 

the 

che 

alii 

othe 

Cap( 

fore 

iowe 

part  ( 

tisem 

fence 

passio 

indiilg 

iost  all 

night  ^ 

This  s( 

peremp 

The 

^ad  not 

ordered 

^yCupta 

discord,  ( 

"if,  after 

not  only 

a^i  hands 

refrain  fit 

did  not  p 

f  Captair 

Kept  on  d 

however,  t 
*e  cards 
and  the  ere 
restore  to 
done,  and 
Burning  on 
I  _  The  doff- 
•^acfc  Sawye 
I  «oo]i  stowed 


,  m^ 


i 

creir,  be  made  th.  ...  Wl 

pound,  which  w«  ."^  •'''«'»'  offer  of  £hr^  j  „ 

the  game  nL         "«eepied.    H«  .1..    T^  ^^f»n  net 

o'her  occas"",,-,  l"""*"-  "n  this,  as  Je/f  °"  "'"  ^ 
Captain  W  «.  '.  L  roomed  to  he  ihl  ",  "*  on  manv 
fore  a,  d  Tft'  .h!'  S»™o„y  a„d  go„^' li^l'^'jed  object  of 

P««  of  anyofT^*^'  "'  ^''obedienTe  o,'^  T"'  orer  al-' 
"semont,  bu,  I  „,  ''*^  '*'<'  "ot  m^  L?,!  °''<'«".  on  the 
fe''ce,vas„e  »»?.'""""''"  ■«  such  a  i'^.T™' ^ha* 
Pa^'o"  for  Mm-  ""  repealed,     r  L„,r''  """  "'e  of. 

'o«  all  theh-  IZ^  "•  **'««,  tharsom!  ^*  T'^-  «n«l 
S;g'«  with  the?  "«•/'"'  «"noyed  ,t  If ''L*  «"'o" 
This  soon  re^hed  th'^'''  '^'"  eigh,  "011?^  '"''''*  « 
peremptory  orferl  /  *•*"  of  thS  capta  ,   ^h"-  """'k. 

T'.e  pas'si:;X':e'';r  j!""'  '"^  P^^e*""  '""o"  • 
had  not  the  rtL.„j  "^f.''  *»»  so  strong  .1,. 


f 


^^iorhV^et'^'J^^^^  'ii;;-r  "o  -ued  . 

oXt'ir"  *'^'«"  The"™:"?;  !"'"  '"e  order 
ainW:tL'--.isofgai-:;-f^^^^ 


°rtr:d'„nee'kt''  «"f-'""°The"™:'?;  '>'  '"e  orde, 
byCaptainW  „•"'«  evils  of  gamLr  *^'«  '■"«»  ail 
4ord,Z„;ir''  ^hat  MTould  te  th^p'^^P^^-'lated  op^ 

no'  only  sto»\     "''  ^o"  still  nereis,  i"^'  "^n.-said  be 

refrain  from  , hi"  L"""  '  am  sTtSi''"*  '  *''«"  keep 
''«  not  p"  ^^.""'"'PPy  passio^'.  *1^„  ^o?  implicitl^ 
"'■Captai,  W"  »  •"  gaming,  and  H  'J*"'  '"""^erer, 
kept  on  decl-  and  t^h"  '"  «^^"^o„.  ^l,ft"2"""o.. 

Md  the  ere  "^'"'«r  and  deC^d    h    "'*'' """ected  Sj 

r-  'o7s  c^"::^ 'r  ;■  "fee"  t?r "  '^ 

•fone,  and  here  ,h.     *''  '«'o«',  groe    *„'      ^^f  "^ould 

S'ming  on  bZd  i.  ■?*""  ond^dTfnd   ,h    ^•"'^  *" 

I     The  dog-C^h  "^"fng  the  rema  nder  „f  T  *««  no 

Jack  Sa^ra^d"!  '""?«  ended  a  "d  ,he1  ""^  ^"y^^- 

I  '~"«oure^*';^^."):^'f,  and  tio  other  .o'^'^"*"'''' 

"'ay  ui  the  fore-top.    JacfcanH  '^^"' "'or«« 

i-     '"OK  and  myself  took 


^^^ 


if 


188 


$ 


LITE   OR   THE    OCEAN. 


our  Stations  on  the  weather  side,  while  the  other  two 
rolled  themselves  up  in  the  staysails  for  a  nap;  and  Jack, 
after  replenishing  his  nip  with  a  fresh  quid  of  the  weed, 
according  to  promise,  commenced  his  yarn. 


,.■■•  1  i.'J.  V  ',■ 


-J.    .—t.i;'-' 


m 


i' 


.'■  ^  •'/■•-■^is.- •    a .   .     j;\i    t."        *.- 


123 


i»tt 


m 


CHAPTER  XL 


•^NOWICH  iSLAsJs        I    '"**'*'^''^«'» -ARRIVE.     ,^ 

AS  near  as  I  mn 

care  oftLl        '^''^^^ed  fishinrnl'      '^  P*'^"^«  ^^ere 

of  usj  and  j;r?""^  ^'^^  ciiSn  7as  2  ""''^'^  '^^ 
support  us  iZ!''"®^  took  in  work  f o  h  ,  '®  '^«'«  ^^ree 

of  fishiW      irn    "**■■  ">en  took  m.  „  ?    ""*  ^'gh* 
«l»  great  toft  .t    **  knocked  up     7Z  '^^' "'«'  "•en 

find  and  tide  •  f^^"  ■*'''^'  ""is,  she  hartfi,  '  T,'""  ""«• 
»ould  often  »„r.i'"^  '"W  y"  I  before  t  •"""  "Sai"* 
M««ers  "twin  •"'"'><'k  and  Sre  u'/""'**''.  sh« 

own  liWne  •  »„  I     ■J*'"  '  was  bi»  -n^ '.  ?'*  '"«« 

sinoe  I  weSt  wl.i,  /  ^'^Kshad  a  notion Vf.u""'  "'«1 
<liii  I't  ]*P  th^  ^  """"ef  a-fishin»      M°        ""  ^"'  ever 


If 


i*^i 


124 


LIFE  ON  THE   OCEAN. 


the  same  fate  as  your  poor  father.'     And  then  she  could 
say  no  more. 

"  *  But/  says  I,  *  mother,  I  am  strong  enough  to  work, 
and  lend  a  hand  to  help  you  along,  for  many  times  we've 
not  enough  to  eat,  and  I  can't  stand  it  to  see  you  giving 
up  all  the  food,  and  working  for  us.  No,  no !  that  I 
can't.' 

" '  God  bless  you,  my  poor  boy ! '  said  old  mother ;  and 
after  many  chats  like  this,  she  consented  that  I  should 
go  to  Boston.  Well,  all  my  duds  were  got  ready,  and  I 
tell  you  they  wouldn't  have  filled  a  very  large  chest. 
In  the  mean  while,  I  got  much  good  advice ;  but  she  said 
most  about  keeping  the  orders  of  a  neat  little  Bible,  which 
she  gave  me,  and  said,  '  Although,  my  poor  boy,  you 
can't  read  much,  yet  if  you  go  to  sea,  mayhap  you  may 
fall  in  with  some  shipmate  who  will  learn  you.'  Well, 
the  day  came  when  I  was  all  ready  to  make  a  start ;  my 
stock  was  snugly  packed  up,  old  mother  taking  care  to 
stow  away  the  little.  Bible.  I  shall  never  forget  that 
time ;  I  had  my  bundle  on  my  back,  and  a  letter  in  my 
hand  to  an  uncle  in  Boston.  *  God  bless  you,  my  boy ; 
remember  your  mother's  advice,  and  if  God  spares  your 
life  to  get  back  from  sea,  come  home ;  any  way,  let  me 
hear  from  you  as  often  as  you  can.'  She  could  say  no 
more  for  crying,  and  I  just  remember  that  I  sobbed  out 
to  her,  *  1  will,  I  will ; '  so  I  shut  my  eyes,  and  started 
upon  a  half  run."  Here  the  narrator  seemed  as  if  he 
were  acting  the  same  scene  over  again. 

At  this  point  the  narration  was  broken  off  by  an  order, 
from  the  officer  of  the  deck,  to  take  in  studding-sails  and 
royals;  the  wind  having  freshened,  and  heavy  black 
clouds  were  rolling  up  from  the  northward.  This  duty 
being  performed,  eight  bells  were  struck,  and  the  watch 
•  relieved. 

..^^fibruary  13.  —  During  the  preceding  five  days,  tb: 

i  w&od  was  variable  and   the  weather  squally.      Every 

advantage  was  taken  of  the  shifts,  to  get  within  the  fair 

limits  of  the  trade  winds.     Observed  this  day  at  noon 

in  latitude  25°  30'  north,  and  longitude,  by  lunar  obser- 


vati 
nori 
stud 
that 

stead 

this 

castle 

excep 

we  sc 

This, 

caiitioi 

sible,  t 

Thus  / 

crew  w 

the  last 
north-ea 
ship  Was 
^ongitud^ 
22^°  nor 
West. 

J^ebrut 
seen  on 
that  we  c 
head  with 
the  westp 
As  We  I 
^as  our  fij 
promised 
«^ere  spen 
nands  were 
deck  being 
;  followed  w 
'«  this  waj 
parties  of  th 
Jto  the  sweet 
Jfood  humor 
[i*r  being  ©v 


^»>'«    ON   THE    OCEAN. 

vatjon,  was  133^0  .  ^^ 

north-Dorth-east  wiTh    I    ^^  ^""^et  the  wind  h    1  . 

This.nodoubr'w^l,?"':  ?   *«  «ck  ls'';S?'*,''•*'' 
calItion  taken  »„        •?"'""Pa' y  owinff  ,„  iu    ^  ''•"y- 

west.      "•  '"'"'«''''  »"  '""gitudeX  wV^"«'  "f 

^  »^e  now  had  steads  ^^^J*'  "8''«  "f  her        * 
us  were  piped  to  mischief  th.  ?       "ewment ;  all 


li^i  i# 


Mi 


186 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


was  called  on  deck,  and  taking  their  several  stations, 
silence  soon  prevailed  throughout  the  ship,  she  running 
at  the  rate  of  seven  miles  per  hour,  under  a  clear  star- 
light  night,  and  a  cloudless  sky. 

After  we  had  got  snugly  fixed  in  the  fore-top.  Jack 
Sawyer  resumed  his  yarn,  as  follows :  — 

"  To  make  a  long  story  short,  I  got  safe  to  Boston ;  how, 
I  hardly  know,  but  I  believe  I  rode  part  of  the  way  hi  a 
cart,  and  the  rest  of  it  I  took  my  land-tacks  aboard,  and 
trotted  along  on  shanks  mare.  I  soon  found  out  my 
juncle,  and  a  clever  old  soul  he  was,  for  he  took  me  to  his 
house,  and  told  me  to  stay  with  him  until  he  could  get 
me  a  berth.  Well,  this  was  soon  done,  for  in  three  days 
he  told  me  he  had  got  a  berth  for  me  on  board  the 
H ,  mounting  sixteen  guns,  and  carrying  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  men;  that  I  was  to  go  in  the  ward- 
room, to  wait  upon  the  officers.  The  craft  was  soon 
ready  for  sea,  and  my  old  uncle,  God  bless  him !  rigged 
me  out  with  a  chest  of  clothes  for  the  cruise. 

"Well,  I  recollect  we  sailed  some  time  in  March,  be- 
cause it  was  cold  and  squally  weather ;  and  before  we 
got  clear  of  the  bay,  we  had  well  nigh  lost  the  craft  in  a 
north-easter  on  the  cape.     We  had  not  been  out  many 
days  before  I  overheard  them  talking,  in  the  wardroom, 
that  we  were  going  to  the  southward,  to  cut  off  the 
English  West  Indiamen.      It  was  a  cut-off,  to  be  sure; 
for  the  next  day  we  fell  in  with  an  English  frigate  on 
our  weather  beam ;  and,  after  a  chase  of  five  hours,  she 
overhauled  and  took  us,  and  we  were  just  clapped  on 
board  of  her,  like  so  many  dogs,  they  swearing  that  they 
urould  hang  us  all  up  at  the  yard-arm,  for  being  found  in 
Arms  against  the  king.      Her j  was  the  beginning  of  my 
troubles:  our  craw  were  treated  worse  than  brutes:  I 
came  off  a  little  better,  [  suppose  because  1  was  a  young- 
ster.     A  few  days  afie:  this,  x!re  fell  in  with  the  English 

frigate  S ;  they  put  me  on  board  of  her,  with  fifteen 

of  our  men,  who  had  entered  into  the  EnglLsii  service.] 
This  frigate  was  bound  to  the  West  Indies,  ti>  join,  asj 
convoy,  the  homeward-bound  West  India  fleet. 


licei 

had 

and 

prov 

consi 

War, 

spirec 

woulc 

and  cj 

niornij 

Janjaic 

forget 

the  Ya 

fair  figj 

fifteen 
sail  to 

^raggin^ 

ate  Was 

chased  J 

inch ;  so 

next  moi 

and  by  tl 

the  fleet 

W ^  ^ 

to  join  th 

^^}P,  I  m 
tncka  of , 

off,  and  I 

mother  w( 

then  I  hoy 

i^  at  home 

w  I  teil  yc 

Rere  the 

neimsman  s 

^^^eved,  an( 

flarratiire  by 


WW    ON  THE   oCAir.  ^ 

forget  how  "he  skin""""!  «''«  «i»infr  I  fhln"  ''^<' 
'lie  Yankee  Zl  i  PP®'  o'^ow  frigate  a^™  ""J'  ""'er 
feir  6ght  ft,  ,ht  ^  ''  fc««»>«e  they  woJIn  ',  "S"  "'"^ 

I  ^  «  home  a^*"  "fiVt'^t*""'  i""'*"'  "Cld  i/ke'^f 
fc  I  tell  you  that  a  ^'  'f*'*  ^""Sh's  soon  wore  „ff 


J     J  ] 

i 


198 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


I        i 


few  days  had  been,  with  fine  breezes  and  pleasant 
weather.  Liuiar  observations  were  taken,  and  a  course 
shaped  to  make  the  Island  of  Owyhee  ;  and  as  we  were 
now  drawir><;  near  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  we  saw  a 
number  of  aquatic  birds,  such  as  hover  about  the  land, 
being  generally  a  sure  indication  of  its  v'cinity.  We 
anticipated  much  gratification  while  there,  because  of 
the  abundance  of  the  fruit  and  vegetables,  which  in 
those  days  could  be  purchased  for  a  mere  trifle ;  and  we 
looked  forward  to  much  pleasure  in  having  intercourse 
with  the  natives,  on  account  of  the  peculiar  gentleness  and 
docility  of  their  character,  of  which  I  had  heard  much 
from  some  of  the  crew  who  had  visited  the  islands  on 
their  former  voyages. 

F'ebruary  20.  —  As  usual  in  a  long  course  of  fair  winds 
and  fine  weather,  nothing  occurred  to  interrupt  the 
monotony,  except  the  excitement  produced  by  the  an- 
ticipation of  our  visit  to  the  islands,  which  served  as  a 
general  topic  of  conversation  in  the  forecastle.  My 
messmate.  Jack  Sawyer,  made  rapid  progress  in  learning 
to  read ;  every  opportunity  was  embraced  by  him,  in  his 
watch  below,  to  effect  this  result,  which  appeared  to  be 
the  height  of  his  ambition.  Indeed,  the  forecastle  was 
more  like  a  school  than  any  thing  else  ;  the  elementary 
branches  of  education  were  taught,  as  well  as  the 
sciences  of  navigation  and  mathematics,  by  our  young 
Bhipmate,  Wm.  Harris,  who,  a^  before  stated,  was  an 
uiider-grsiduate  of  Harvard  University.  It  was  a  com- 
mon  circumstance  to  see,  at  meridian,  in  a  clear  day, 
from  twenty  to  thirty  of  the  crew,  with  their  quadrants, 
measuring  the  altitude  of  the  sun,  to  determine  the 
ship's  latitude  ;  and  we  knew  the  position  of  the  ship,  in 
the  forecastle,  by  our  reckoning  and  lunar  observations, 
as  precisely  as  the  oflficers  in  the  cabin. 

February  21.  —  The  trade  winds  had  become  lighter, 
and  the  weather  was  unusually  warm.  It  was  rumored, 
in  the  forecastle,  that  we  were  to  celebrate,  on  the  mor* 
row,  the  birthday  of  Washington,  the  father  of  our 
country.     I  knew  not  how  it  was  to  be  celebrated,  ex* 


cept 
the  I 
regaii 
the  q 
terra; 
few  ft 
of  To 
Th( 
The  s 
ascend 
zon;  t] 
ship  w 
press  oi 
scarce/^ 
harmon 
throughi 
toniary  r 
home  th 
down  de 
run  up  8 
was  fired 
such  as 

aJiowancc 

fresh  mes 

''w/,  whk 

of  fat  take 

cj"  consiste 

Sometimej 

so  intolerai 

the  fore-ya 

standing  tl 


oeen  a 
J^ith  molas 
humor,  anc 
forecastle. 
^^  Owyhee, 
'<»  see  the  hi 
.  February 
l"^  when  h 


pleasant 
a  course 
we  were 
e  saw  a 
he  land, 
ly.  We 
:ause  of 
/hich  in 
atid  we 
erconrse 
ness  and 
d  much 
lauds  on 

u'r  winds 
upt   the 

the  an- 
red  as  a 
le.  My 
learning 
n,  in  his 
ed  to  be 
istle  was 
imentary 

as  the 
ir  young 

was  an 


'•'••B    ON  THE    OCEAN. 

cept  With  an  extra  «l.  ^^^ 

the  most  accewnM    ."^^^^nce  of  grog  anH  »  r     . 
'egaled.     AsZJl    ^'^'^^^ith  which  fh«   ^'^'^  »"««. 

^h'  question'  fo^^^^^  ?«««^  ^ha  wit  eS^"^'^  ^ 
terrai  ins   AhL  ''  °"''  ^resh  stort T   ®"^"^eJy  out  of 

few  fn^L  ^    u  '■^'"a^ns  of  the  Gni        ^^"sisted  of  three 

^^cely  ^  '^r'  ^^l  »»  »'«ady  That  hpr*'""'  ""<'«'•  » 

allowance  of  sma  ,7    '  **^'  ^^^s  carried  nn  .  ^^^^^^^^y* 
frp«h  «™«         °^&  ^as  served  «.,♦   "'"^"  on  ;  an  extra 

S««et.meMh'^;™eil,f  f""^  "'">  «  I^Vll^^'^   ' 

""wior,  and  ^i->„  i''*.<'«y  passed  off  wi.h  *"**'" 

and  closed  w,th  a  ball  onTh.  "  ^"*"'  S°°^ 

I  »f  0^vh«.  ^  *«"  no w  rapid  „"'^*  «?""  ^«<'''  ""d 

f.w5l3.'l"l«  <'«>l«h.  in"h  "rrntr"'"""' 

h  -'"-^"-.da^i^hTtrSsl^^'-^-e,^^^^ 

Mwered  m,  our  ejjpecUi. 


»»* 


0 


130 


LIP»  ON   THE   OCEAN. 


tions  were  realized  by  the  welcome  sound  of  "  Land  ho  I  ** 
from  the  mast-head,  which,  at  first,  appeared^Mke  a  dark, 
spiral  cloud,  rising  from  the  horizon.  The  computed 
distance  from  the  island  was  at  this  time  one  hundred 
miles,  which  seems  scarcely  credible,  yet  it  is  nevertheless 
true ;  for  the  high  mountain  of  Owyhee  is  elevated  more 
than  one  thousand  feet  higher  than  the  Peak  of  Tene- 
rifle.  We  ran  all  that  day  and  night  until  2  A.  M.,  and 
hove  to  until  6  A.  M.  On  the  24th,  indde  all  sail,  the  wind 
being  light  till  meridian,  when  a  i«esh  breeze  sprang  up, 
which  obliged  us  to  take  in  all  dl^  light  sails.  On  ap- 
proaching the  island,  a  number  of  canoes  were  seen  in 
shore  of  us,  and  although  the  ship  was  running  at  the 
rate  of  ten  knots,  yet  the  canoes  kept  way  with  us. 
Every  preparation  was  made  to^^bring  the  ship  to  an 
anchor.  Gapt.  W.  being  well  acquainted,  we  stood 
boldly  into  Karakakooa  Bay,  and  imchored  in  fifteen 
fathoms  water,  about  a  mile  from^^^  landing-place. 
At  3  P.  M.,  we  were  visited  by  the  ku%,  Tamaamaooa, 
who  came  off  escorted  by  six  war  canoes,  which  were 
lightly  constructed,  yet  they  were  of  great  beauty,  and, 
as  regards  speed,  nothing  that  floats,  of  thd  same  length, 
can  excel  them.  Each  of  the  canoes  had  an  outrigger, 
which  is  taken  up  or  let  down  at  pleasure,  to  prevent 
capsizing  in  sudden  flaws  of  wind. 

With  the  exception  of  the  king  and  two  of  the  prin- 
cipal chiefs,  the  natives  were  almost  in  a  state  of  nature 
as  regards  clothing,  having  nothing  about  them  except 
what  they  termed  a  ''  tappOf"  which  is  a  piece  of  cloth, 
made  of  grass,  thrown  around  their  loins.  The  king 
and  two  chiefs,  however,  in  addition  to  this  species  of 
dress,  had  a  piece  of  red  broadcloth,  (no  doubt  purchased 
from  a  ship  that  had  touched  here,)  which  hung  loosely 
over  the  back,  forming  a  kind  of  mantle,  and  was  secured 
in  the  front  with  a  gaudy  ribbon,  topped  off  with  some 
feathers  sewn  together,  to  form  a  head-dress.  These 
chiefs  were  received  in  the  most  polite  manner  by  Capt. 
W.,  and  in  return  they  gave  us  a  hearty  welcome,  and 
promised  to  afford  every  facility  in  procuring  refresh* 


W«   ON  THE   OCBAK. 

After. ,XS??i!'^  "'»'«»  of  onr  y™.  t„  .k    • . 

"~«<^  »^gl4  kt?  •">«'  •J-™?  Which  A„"^* 
l"^"**,  at  w^  ,'L"''"*"'  Cape.  W.  gavHh^''  "'^ 

filled  with  fhe  „;;;i4   &'"','°«J'  caaoes  c«»e  off 

»«h  them  almost  Ih 'kind,    ^"''  ""■  f'""!*,  bZi°f 

with  Vam,,  tarra-rZ-"^^  "I  '™P*<=»'  &«i«^  toSf 

-?^  geese,  fo«rls,  a^'^"  S"-?;?  ™l»tieute  for'poS- 

-*«S2S<yhey  were  aUnost  in 


-•i 


•^        "^ 


130 


LIPS   ON   THE    OCBAN. 


■  ^'■ 


r^ 


tions  were  realized  by  the  welcome  sound  of  "  Land  ho  I " 
from  the  mast-head,  which,  at  first,  appeared  Hke  a  dark, 
spiral  cloud,  rising  from  the  horizon.  The  computed 
distance  from  the  island  was  at  this  time  one  hundred 
miles,  which  seems  scarcely  credible,  yet  it  is  nevertheless 
true ;  for  the  high  mountain  of  Owyhee  is  elevated  more 
than  one  thousand  feet  higher  than  the  Peak  of  Tene- 
riffe.  We  ran  all  that  day  and  night  until  2  A.  M.,  and 
hove  to  until  6  A.  M .  On  the  24th,  made  all  sail,  the  wind 
being  light  till  meridian,  when  a  ^resh  breeze  sprang  upj, 
which  obliged  us  to  take  in  all  dGr  light  sails, 
proaching  the  island,  a  number  of  canoes 
shore  of  us,  and  althoueli^kejfa«iiflitf!^HHiAiiHn     n 


nd  ho  I " 
\  a  dark, 
)mputed 
hundred 
3rtheless 
ted  more 
f  Tene- 
M.,  and 
the  wind 


them  down  to  the  beach     Th  ^"  ^""^  ^^^^^^  and  roU 

^»"«  Of  .he  circle.     1^'^,'^  "^Z  '^^^ir^t     . 

""res,  on  approaching  this 


>* 


132 


Lire    ON   THE    OCCAW. 


it 


place,  seemed  to  be  awed  into  a  profound  retrerenee; 
and  as  two  of  our  men,  who  had  been  at  these  islands 
several  times,  spoke  the  language  of  the  islanders, — in 
conversation  with  them,  they  expressed  unfeigned  tor* 
row  at  the  unfortunate  circumstance  which  caused  the 
death  of  this  great  chief,  as  they  termed  him ;  they  also 
informed  us  that,  once  in  every  year,  all  the  natives  as- 
sembled here  to  perform  a  religious  rite  in  memory  of 
his  lamentable  death. 

We  were  treated  with  the  greatest  hospitality  and 
kindness  during  our  stay.     Large  parties  of  the  crew 
were  often  sent  on  shore  to  exercise,  and  we  made 
frequent  excursions  to  the  interior  of  the  island,  falling 
in  with  a  number  of  small  villages,  the  residents  of 
which  always  treated  us  with  the  same  hospitality  and 
kindness  as  those  did  bordering  on  the  sea-shore.     lu 
one  of  those  excursions,  a  party  of  us  ascended  to  a 
considerable  height  on  the  mountain  which  is  seen  at 
so  great  a  distance  seaward,  and  on  the  top  of  which 
is  a  volcano  constantly  sending  forth  liquid  flames  and 
lava.     We  had  not,  however,  reached  half  its  summit, 
before  the  atmosphere  became  so  dense,  and  the  air  so 
cold,  that  we  were  obliged  to  retrace  our  steps.     The 
islanders  have  a  tradition  in  reference  to  this  mountain 
and  volcano,  and  believe  that  a  superior  being   in- 
habits the  crater,  which,  although  unseen,  they  wor- 
ship with  the  most  profound  adoration.     We  found  but 
one  white  man,  (an  Englishman,)  on  this  island;  he 
called  himself,  by  name,  John  Young ;  and  it  was  said, 
by  some  of  our  crew,  that  he  was  one  of  the  mutineers 
of  the  "  Bounty,"  of  famous  memory,  who  had  escaped 
from  the  island  in  a  boat,  and  was  picked  up  by  a 
whaler,  which  brought  him  here.     He  informed  us  he 
had  been  on  the  island  three  years ;  but  no  information 
could  be  obtained  from  him  further  than  that  he  had 
left  a  whaling   ship.     He  was  a  man  oi  great   au- 
thority, next  in  power  and  rank  to  the  king,  having 
rendered  essential  service  in  the  frequent  wars  with 
the  other  islands.     It  was  by  his  skill  and  courage  that 


Ta 

befi 

piet 

paid 

mail 

amoi 

Ai 

lent ; 

was  ( 

T/i 

them, 

from  . 

^agiie 

are  re 

practis 

poiygai 

one  ha( 

a  kind 

Mnivera 

kind,  w 

by  theii 

before  n 

pleasant 

theless, 

always  ft 

frequent! 
are,  perlu 
n»>ng  as  t 
the  distan 
and  it  wai 
"»/««,  to  i 
again,  as 
canoes;  a 
Vhich,  by 
^^an  other 
two  of  the 
!  we  water,  j 

March 
the  crew  u 


«•"•«    0.V   THE    OC«tt. 

The  .tsfpSfTe^ro^r'''"*'^^^ 

vairiie     TIT-       "*'  ^'^^ch,  at  the  hn.#      ^  "*^  Wee  ved 

wfnre  mentioned,  in  VhT  .1     **  *''«  unknown  h.;-» 
pleasant  featii«».  •      .  ®  "o'eano.     Wi.h  Ji  Tt        "*» 

^«  f;««nce  of  one  mrte  an^  a  'LTf  ?"<"""<^  «  C 
«M  «  was  as  common  for  ,h,^^  ?  ^">m  the  show- 
Mas,  ,0  ,„i„  „ff  ,  the  shin  iTu**'  «*  »el'  as  uL' 
»Sain,  as  it  was  for  hem  *  '"^  'h^  swim  on  shorn 
canoes;  although  tL„^^  '"  """n*  and  go  in   .h  " 

han  other  fish ;  aid  it's  ,.o7  ^"r  "PP*"'  '»  "o'-oe  n^S 


i 


134 


LITE    ON    THIS    OCEAN. 


wooding  were  finished,  and  we  procured  a  large  number 
of  hogs,  but  were  obliged  to  take  them  away  alive,  not 
being  able  to  procure  salt ;  and,  indeed,  if  we  could,  it 
would  not  have  been  practicable  to  cure  the  pork  in  this 
climate.  We  had  also  procured  a  large  quantity  of  fruit, 
as  well  as  the  tarra-root ;  but  the  stock  of  yams  was 
small,  in  consequence  of  which  Captain  W.  was  deter- 
mined to  touch  at  another  of  the  islands,  to  procure  them. 
The  entire  object  of  our  visit  to  this  island  being  now 
completed,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  all  on  board,  and 
after  distributing  many  little  presents  among  the  natives, 
we  bade  them  a  long  adieu,  to  their  apparent  sorrow  and 
regret.  At  10  A.  M.,  we  weighed  anchor,  made  all  sail, 
with  ft  fine  breeze  from  the  north-east,  and  stood  away 
to  the  westward,  with  the  intention  of  touching  at  the 
island  of  Atooi. 

The  Island  of  Owyhee,  or  Karakakooa  Bay,  lies  in 
the  parallel  of  19^  28'  north,  and  155°  6T  west.  It  is 
the  most  easterly  of  the  group,  and  of  a  triangular  form, 
nearly  equilateral.  The  angular  points  constitute  the 
northern,  southern,  and  eastern  extremities.  The  cir- 
cumference of  the  whole  island  is  said  to  be  255  geo- 
graphical, or  about  293  En^^lish  miles.  Its  breadth  is 
said  to  be  24  leagues ;  and  its  greatest  length,  which  lies 
nearly  in  a  north  and  south  direction,  is  28^  leagues. 
The  country  rises  inland,  with  a  gradual  ascent,  and  is 
intersected  by  narrow,  deep  glens,  or  rather  chasms.  It 
seemed  to  be  well  cultivated,  and  to  have  many  villages 
scattered  about  its  surface.  Owyhee  is  by  far  the  largest 
of  the  whole  group.  Formerly,  all  these  islands  were 
governed  by  the  kings  of  Owyhee  and  Woahoo.  A 
short  time  previous  to  our  arrival  here,  however,  with 
(he  aid  of  tlie  englishman  before  mentioned,  in  a  ship 
belonging  to  the  king  of  Owyhee,  they  made  a  descent 
upon  Woahoo,  and  completely  conquered  and  subjugated 
the  island  .to  the  power  of  the  king  of  Owyhee.  | 

.  The  wind  continued  fresh,  and,  at  2  A.  M.,  we  passed 
the  Island  of  Mo  wee.  We  stood  on  our  course  to  the 
westward*during  this  day  and  night. 


A 

Tovri 

Woa 

from 

M 

bearii 

haulei 

near  t 

on  she 

in  the 

anchoi 

to  proc 

now  n( 

stocked 

we  mad 

remaind 

and  coil 

bows,  cl 

nin  whi< 

wind  CO 

fine,  wit 

railed  thj 

g'oomy 

fhe  land 

it  were 

change  in 
except  to 

enshroude( 
life  we  ha 
Peru. 

My  old 

nw  studies 

.  ^hen  there 

j  sliore,  nor  \\ 

,  now  that  w( 

canvass  spre 

J  ^'"^  and  ho^ 

\m  remaind€ 

'   ^arch  16. 


on  shore  to  prM.'.»      *''  °"«  "'o  boats  anS  '"*«'«""/ 

«o  procure  mo»,?^'  ""e  boats  retu"^^  "  "f  !»Mr5r  to 
•tocked  with  fi^^f '"*"  «•  'heseistandi  »„-.f  *  ''«" 
remainder  ofThlsL?"""*'^  for  cfnton'   d""'  ^- 

Mir  oM  "®  <^oast  of 

shore,  nor  in  harbor  7n  h        ?®  "^"'ler  at  sea  nn/  ^' 
now  that  we  ha^  ?  jf  '^^  couldn't  larn  mnnuTu  ^^  ^'» 


136 


LITE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


north-east  trade,  and  every  yard  of  canvass  was  spread 
that  could  be  set  to  advantage.  Oar  latitude  at  merid- 
ian was  21^  north,  and  longitude,  from  the  last  depart- 
ure, was  162^  west.  The  watches  were  once  more 
regulated;  every  man  on  board  knew  his  station,  and 
the  duties  of  the  ship  were  performed  with  the  usual 
system  and  promptness.  The  most  intense  application 
was  made  by  many  of  the  young  seamen  to  acquire,  not 
jnly  a  perfect  knowledge  of  seamanship,  but  of  naviga- 
tion also. 

The  finest  opportunity  that  can  be  afforded  to  a  young 
man  who  intends  to  follow  a  sea-life,  is  in  a  well-regu- 
lated merchant  ship,  on  similar  voyages  to  the  present 
one,  or  to  and  from  the  East  Indies.    There  are  many  ad- 
vantages, on  these  voyages,  that  are  not  to  be  found  in 
the  European,  West  India,  or  Brazil  trade ;  for,  usually, 
on  long  voyages,  watch  and  watch  is  given,  or,  at  least, 
the  forenoon  watch  below ;  and  as  there  is  generally  a 
long  series  of  fair  winds  and  fine  weather,  consequently 
the  watch  below  is  seldom  or  never  called  up  in  the  night 
to  reef  topsails,  d&c,  and.  therefore,  have  a  sufficiency  of 
tiine  for  rest,  and  the  watch  below,  in  the  daytime^  may 
employ  themselves  in  study.     Again,  there  are  various 
duties  on  those  voyages  which  are  of  vast  importance  to 
a  young  seaman,  and  which  are  scarcely  ever  performed 
on  short  voyages, — such  as  making  new  sails,  laying 
rope,  building  boats,  and,  more  particularly  still,  that  of 
stripping  and  overhauling  a  ship's  rigging ;  that  is,  to 
send  down  every  yard  and  mast  — except  the  lower  masts 
—  and  then  strip  the  yards,  and  overhaul  the  stops,  take 
all  the  rigging  from  off  the  mast-heads,  then  get  it  on  a 
stretch,  and  strip  off  the  service  and  parcelling,  tar  the«yjy.jgj      . 
rigging,  heave  on  the  service  and  parcelling  afresh,  seize  JtjQ^g  I,^ i 
the  eyes  of  the  rigging,  and  then  clap  it  over  the  mast< 
heads  again.     This  is  a  very  essential  part  of  a  sea^ 
man's  duty,  and  necessary  to  be  performed    on  long 
voyages,  as  you  are  thereby  enabled  to  discover  wheth< 
er  there  are  defects  either  in  the  rigging  or  spars.    Ill 
is  sometimes  the  case  that  a  young  man  serves  an  ep' 


tire 

the 

tow 

to  a 

frequ 

proJif 

wnon 

the  i 

harboi 

seldon 

This  ii 

most  a 

board  a 

Man 

^ranspir( 

ony,  res 

leather. 

wind  coi 

of  i\ia%, 

sxcitenjei 

We  at  the 

case  vr'ith 

cJear  J 

voyage  w« 

whack, 

^«niy,  thi 
'vessels;  ^ 

ficiency  to 

pwposes 

ship  and 

<>"'  conditi, 


ai 


^wns  and  ha 

*ea-life,  —.J 

M  a  mess, 

""e  as  I  had 

8sai/ortob( 

,*p>  honest, 

"^iiom  I  f^i^ 


Hi 


s  spread 
t  merid- 
;  depart- 
ce  more 
ion,  and 
18  usual 
plication 
[uire,  not 
•  naviga- 

a  young 
rell-regu- 
i  {present 
many  ad- 
found  in 
,  usually, 
,  at  least, 
snerally  a 
sequently 
the  night 
ciency  of 
ioie,  may 
e  various 
ortance  to 
performed 
ils,  laying 
II,  that  of 
that  is,  to 
wer  masts 
tops,  take 
;et  it  on  a 
g,  tar  the 
resh,  seize 
the  masU 
of  a  sea" 
on  long] 
et  wheth' 
spars.  Id 
68  an  eni 


ow  apprenticeship  in  ,h«p,„  ^ 

«hejF»iviIege  of  ifnC  a  CS^  *'^'  '"*<'«  «»viB. 

"»  E^   Ct'.t"""'-  ^hen  a  ship  i  L.  ..T"""" 

''ind  continued  fe,rT**T'  "^"ost  drs^d  ?r?  *"?• 

excitement ;  indeed,  I  h'fn?^'  ^'^'y  for  the  saW 

We  at  the  continuance  ofll™  ''^^^  "'<'  ^Hongtul 
case  with  «nm«    <•         ^  *  ^^^r  wind  anw  ♦u-       srum- 

clear  TftheT    •  "^^  *'  ^^is  time     Now  i*"'"  "^^  ''^e 
Wiety  of  characters  %fL-        '  ®"^  surrounded  with 


•Hi 


m 


Lire   OH  THE    OeSAN. 


to'beii^te  it  wasrociprocated  dn  his  part.  While  Jack 
and  myself  were  engaged  thiii  day  in  his  fevorite  study 
of  leuning  to  read,  he  promised  to  take  up  his  narrative 
that  night,  as  it  was  our  first  watch  on  deck^ 


If  ■ 


1:S 


m 


i     .).; 


were  oi 

the  fon 

of  wat« 

knots,  a 

soon  a 

narratiir( 

"Ifo 

*e  friga. 

the  rest, 

This  wa 

a  good  b 

as  I  Was 

four  TV— 

off  Cape  I 

somewher 

fleet  in  hi 

time,  the  i 

was  out; 

go  in  searc 

decker;  sh 

Impair  damj 

joined  by 

\ »  wh 

coassd  by 
'^as  out  in  J 

I.  "Ouradi 
•eepdosooi 
"•"•ternwii 


lite  Jack 
te  study 
[larmtive 


i 


^^t> 


199 


■.j*i 


■<i  Mfr»  ?,':.: 


?  I 


CHAPTER  xa. 
were"mM"^re*i?lff^''«d.  J«ck  Sawyer  «mf 

the  frig^Ts--J!"T  ??"'  ^^'^  I  was  shipped  nn  k     . 

>  good  book  «nons  a  °f  ^''  «»  "  «  a  rare  th  i^?„  "'• 
M I  was  aivino  r  '  *'  "'  "nan-of-war>  '  *  J2  ^* 
four  wl!!?'"4'J„'?«.  •'•»»fe"ed  ab^d^!"-  ^e". 
off  Cane  St  '^'""ed  «o  join  the  HeetT^A      f  ^"eiuy- 

»«»  out'  t^Z*^  ,f"=«"^«<l  news  thatTh;  1°'  '"u""'"'" 
fed  "r^^her^Sr^fS^  °^4  '3rh    w^^;;" 

i*  weaa ,  and  we  kept  dots 


>i» 


.^ 


140 


Lire   ON  TBK   OCEAN. 


M!S 


enough,  for  a  man  might  walk  over  every  ship  on  the 
lee  and  weather  line  of  the  fleet.  Every  now  and  then 
we  heard  the  signal  guns  of  the  Spanish  fleet  to  wind- 
ward, and  all  eyes  were  trying  to  peer  through  the  fog,  to 
catch  a  glimpse  of  them.  In  the  morning,  at  five  bells, 
the  van-ship  made  a  signal  that  part  of  the  Spanish  fleet 
were  in  sight.  The  signal  was  again  made  by  the 
admiral  to  prepare  for  action ;  but  he  might  ha%e  saved 
himself  the  trouble,  and  the  wear  and  tear  of  the  bunt- 
ing, for  we  were  all  ready,  bulk-heads  down,  screens  up, 
guns  shotted,  tackles  rove,  yards  slung,  powder  filled, 
^ot  on  deck,  and  fires  out.  At  six  bells  in  the  forenoon, 
the  fog  and  mist  all  cleared  away  at  once,  and  there  they 
were,  the  whoie  Spanish  fleet,  twenty-six  in  number, 
three-deckers  and  four-deckers,  and  a  pretty  sight  to  look 
at, — but  a  great  odds  against  fifteen  ships,  though,  to  add 
to  our  streiigth,  we  were  packed  in  close  order,  and  all 
eager  for  the  fight,  while  there  the  Dons  lay,  somehow 
and  nohow,  in  two  broken  lines,  with  a  great  gap  of 
water  between  them.  For  this  gap  we  all  steered,  with 
every  rag  of  canvass  set,  because,  d'ye  see,  by  getting 
them  on  each  side  of  us,  we  had  the  advantage  of  fight- 
ing both  broadsides  at  the  same  time. 

"  At  seven  bells,  the  action  commenced,  the  admiral 
pouring  a  raking  fire  into  the  Spanish  admiral's  ship, 
which  made  her  bear  up  and  fall  out  of  the  line,  like  a 
struck  deer.  The  broadside  of  the  admiral's  ship  bored 
such  a  hole  in  the  Spaniard's  stern,  that  you  might  hare 
drove  a  wagon  and  horses  through  it.  We  were  soon 
SEiothered  up  in  smoke,  and  couldn't  tell  how  things 
Mvere  going  on,  but  we  guessed  pretty  near  how  it  was; 
and  when  the  smoke  cleared  ofi",  there  lay  all  the  Span* 
iards  in  a  heap.     So  we  ranged  up  alongside  of  them, 

N ,  in  the  Captain,  taking   the   lead,  passing  the 

Spanish  three-deckers,  which  might  have  satisfied  any! 
reasonable  man,  and  ranged  alongside  the  four-decker,  | 
pouriug  his  whole  broadside  into  her ;  and  a  pretty-look* 
ing  riddle  he  made  of  her,  knocking  many  of  her  portil 
into  one,  and  her  scuppsrs  running  blood.    But  tiMl 


in  a 

dropp 

them 

into  tJ 

came 

theDi 

get  !i| 

well. 

when  . 
after  d 
hatchesj 
from  th 

old  J 

other  sh 
weathert 
line,  the 
Spanish 
that  she 
up  hv  th€ 
and  haul, 
wn  alongj 
colors.     J 
'1  our  shi 

three-deck 
'^e  could 

Spaniard 

''otthat  tl; 

^^ileshei 

"^turning  C( 

®"ch  odds 

suns  now  t 

I  J°  put  the  i 

*o«ftI  bow. 

U 


,  £'■ 


v# 


ip  on  the 
and  then 
to  wind- 
le  fog,  to 
ive  bells, 
nish  fleet 
e  by  the 
i\v3  saved 
he  bunt- 
reens  up, 
ler  filled, 
forenoon, 
here  they 
number, 
It  to  look 
;h,  to  add 
r,  and  all 
somehow 
it  gap  of 
ired,  with 
»y  getting 
)  of  fight- 


«*«'«   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


Spanish  four-decker  r       ^  *^' 

-Japped  os^^Z^^f  T""^^^  S-tL?'"^ 
*«« ;  bat  i,  ,^  ilfc?'.""'  broadsides  w^\^I  f!?" 

*m  she  never  jrotoviri,?  **'  ^neh  a  mortol  \l* 

»d  hauled  down  TeJ  X   «  ?""=■'«'  » '^^^^^ 
ran  alongside  of  a  SnaniO^  :^'     ■^'  '"»»  as  the  Y-lIl 

ve  could  load  a»r?  «         *>roadsides  into  her  «<.  T/  * 

fcr  "> »« •-"  ^s^c?'^  ''''^"«'^'  'h~"/Mh'^ 

"Otthat  their  iia*.    "'^t-narge,  til]  our  frim*.  k«  °        ® 

whii     I       ^  oreecbmffs  snnr^*^A  i-i     »  "^  became  so 

,  vhde  she  was  no  wavt  I  ^"^PP«d  like  spun-varn^!.«!? 

I  14  >  ^^^}  I     shouted  the  captain, 


>* 


ibt»> 


t4d 


Lirt   ON  THE   OCBAN. 


It  .. 


» 


who,  sword  in  hand,  took  the  lead^  clambering  up  the 
lides :  we  fell  on  her  deck  like  so  many  incarnate  fiends ; 
and,  rushing  aft,  we  silenced  every  beggarly  Spaniard 
^t  showed  fight,  and  in  ten  minutes  drove  them  below, 
and  hauled  down  the  colors.  The  four-decker  made  a 
brave  resistance  against  four  of  our  ships,  but  was  at 
last  obliged  to  haul  down  her  colors.  But  the  leeward 
division  of  the  Spanish  fleet,  consisting  of  eleven  sail  of 
the  line,  came  to  her  assistance,  and  finally  got  her  off. 
Our  ships  were  too'  much  cut  u(>  to  renew  the  action, 
and  the  admiral  made  a  signal  to  secure  the  prizes. 
The  Spanish  fleet  then  got  into  line,  and  we  lost  no 
time  in  following  their  example.  But  we  both  had  had 
plenty  of  fighting  for  the  present. 

'*  The  next  morning,  the  Spanish  fleet  were  to  wind- 
ward, and  might  have  brought  us  into  action ;  and  at 
one  time  they  manceuvred  as  if  they  would  do  so,  for 
they  bore  up  and  ran  down  towards  us,  when  old  J^— 
hauled  upon  a  wind,  to  show  the  Dons  that  we  were 
ready ;  seeing  which,  they  made  sail  and  were  off. 

*<  Well,  that  was  the  only  general  action  that  I  was  e^er 
in,  and  although  many  a  hearty  fellow  lost  the  number 
of  his  mess  that  day,  and  many  a  chap  was  sent  off  to 
Greenwich  with  the  loss  of  his  pins  and  flippers,  to  be 
laid  up  in  ordinary,  I  did  not  receive  a  scratch. 

^^  I  shall  pass  over  the  many  years  that  I  was  on  board 
of  an  English  man-of-war,  being  transferred  from  ship 
to  ship ;  and  when  I  was  about  twenty  years  old,  as 
near  as  I  could  make  out  my  reckoning,  I  was  promoted 

to  a  captain^s  coxswain,  on  board  the  frigate  S- ,  in 

the  Channel  station.  In  this  ship  we  had  many  a  dust 
on  the  coast  of  France  with  the  batteries  of  Monsieur, 
and  it  was  on  this  station  that,  as  we  fell  in  with  many 
an  American  ship,  I  began  once  more  to  think  of  mother 
and  my  native  land.  <  Where's  the  odds  ? ' —  thought  I  to 
myself:  *  by  this  time  old  mam  is.  under  hatches,  and 
there's  nobody  cares  for  poor  Jack  ; '  for,  d'ye  see,  I  wasj 
than  eleven  years  in  the  English  sarvice :  but  1  coulda'ti 
fal  1$  out  of  my  thoughts  ,*  and  I  just  began  to  contrive 


Vaj 

do  J 

Port 

boar 

H 

watc 

the  s 

berth; 

Me 

unusu 

winds 

tion,  n 

180°  0 
fromtfi 
course 
east  Job 

If  th 
^Jfe,  tha 
down  tl 
fair  wa 
to  prcJu 
exceedin 
outofth 
neither  d 
iaiitude  ; 
so  that,  ft 
look  on,  i 
yarns,  ma 
on-    JVeve 
hands;  fo, 
nad  some 
which  he 
^«  day's  w 
«^«P  rolled 
terruptions 

April  10. 
m  the  last  i 


■-*# 


kg  up  the 
te  fiends ; 
Spaniard 
m  below, 
r  made  a 
It  was  at 
s  leeward 
en  sail  of 
)t  her  o£f. 
le  action, 
^e  prizes, 
'e  lost  no 
1  had  had 

)  to  wind- 
I ;  and  at 
do  SO)  for 

old  J 

we  were 

iOff. 

[  was  e^er 
e  number 
lent  off  to 
ers,  to  be 


*•"*   ON  THIS   OC.AK. 


J?^  I  should  ffflt  ri-^     *  *^ 

v«'ch  being  ca7iJ  *!^  •"'»  yarn  fo^lh     "  "^'O"-" 
the  sterb^"^^:     The  tops  wSe^,*"  P«»"«,  «« 

neither  do  von  f.n  ^°'*  ''""nd  in  »  ^^1;  "«  entiraj- 
latitude- and  L'  '"  "''">  any  Ldt  t^  direction ; 
«•  'hat!  font'"'**'  '■'  '■"  «  "^  th"i  ? „""'  P«™"el  of 

)"""■  ««king^n„«     '^'^  "'  <■««<»  on    and   T'*'  *" 
»"•    NevenhL«  .*  '  '«P«Wng  risffin^'  ?"     knotting 

""d  some  Dlan  f    "'  '"^  ^^^  excLZ.^^  ""  "W 

lis  dajr's  wo^         ?*  regularly  as  a  '^         '*''"'.  •<> 
^fip  roVed  on  .""ot""'-     Th.fs^„\^^"7<>"'d  go  u, 

htruptions  but  such  """*■"»  "'«'  "he~sla    °"','"<'  *« 
Iwnds.  '  *'"=h  as  occasionally  occf,!'  .'"'ho»t  in- 

I  ^Pril  10  —r,  ;  ,  "■ ""  '«d« 


.'>ii 


144 


LIFC   ON  THE   OCEAK. 


remarkable  tianspiring,  and,  indeed,  I  should  not  have 
noted  the  date  but  for  the  purpose  of  describing  a  scene 
which  I  had  not  witnessed  since  our  departure  from 
Boston — a  battle  between  a  thrasher  and  a  whale. 
Although  of  the  same  species,  yet  there  appears  to  be  a 
mortal  antipathy  existing  between  them.  At  first  a 
noise  was  heard  like  a  distant  gun,  and  presently  the 
;j,  combatants  were  visible,  not  being  more  than  two  hun- 

ll!  dred  yards  from  the  ship ;  and  now  the  scene  of  strife 

began.  The  thrasher,  raising  his  whole  length  nearly 
perpendicular  out  o^  the  water,  fell  with  incredible  force 
on  the  back  of  his  huge  oppunent,  which  was  repeated 
several  times  in  quick  succession  ;  and  the  surrounding 
water  presented  a  white  sheet  of  boiling  foam,  caused 
by  the  maddening  struggles  of  the  whale,  as,  throwing 
its  flukes  high  in  the  air,  it  disappeared  for  a  short  time, 
only  to  reappear  upon  the  surface,  to  be  again  attacked 
with  redoubled  fury  by  the  thrasher.  The  battle  lasted 
but  a  few  minutes,  when  the  whale  went  down  and 
was  seen  no  more.  It  was  said,  by  two  of  our  men 
who  had  been  engaged  in  the  whale  fishery,  that, 
while  the  thrasher  is  belaboring  the  whale  on  the  back, 
the  sword-fish  is  at  the  same  time  annoying  him  be- 
low. 

April  12.  — Some  difficulty  occurred  this  day,  of  a  very 
unpleasant  nature,  between  the  first  and  third  officers, 
which  was  terminated  by  suspending  Mr.  O.,  the  third 
officer,  from  duty.  I  endeavored  to  give  the  outline  of 
the  character  of  each  officer  in  the  preceding  part  of  this 
work.  The  difficulty  arose  from  an  undue  assumption 
of  authority  on  the  part  of  Mr.  C,  and  contempt  for  his 
superior  officer,  Mr.  L.,  while  subject  to  his  orders  in  the 
watch  on  deck.  After  a  suspension  from  duty  for  a  few 
days,  the  afiair  was  amicably  settled,  and  Mr.  C.  returned 
again  to  his  duty.  I  never  had  any  very  great  respect 
for  Mr.  C,  myself.  "  Clothed  with  a  little  brief  authority," 
he  endeavored  to  exact  the  most  implicit  obedience  i 
firom  every  man  under  him :  and  in  the  event  of  any  one 
failing  to  please  him,  he  would  work  them  up,  as  a  sailor 


cal 

UUj 

gaii 

tnsii 

had 

quei 

coun 

pieas 
Ap 

tAe  81 
obserif 
islandi 
the  tra 
with  h 
off,  wi( 
of  the 
"Land  J 
to  be  om 
Island,  II 
latitude, 
These  U 
^'^noe  to 
fJ'rection, 
islands  \ 
appeared 
%,  iost 
«ov  becar 
!  and  as  we 
'^oge  wa 
Apnl  29 
J  we  north-T, 
JWack  cloud 
t'nf  appea 
Fe  period  c 
r^ght  it  „, 
"^n'ch  somei 

"tewere  ta 
14 


w 


)t  have 
a  scene 
re  from 

whale. 

to  be  a 

first  a 
ntly  the 
io  hun- 
of  strife 
1  nearly 
}le  force 
repeated 
ounding 
I,  caused 
hrowing 
ort  time, 
attacked 
[le  lasted 
)wn  and 
our  men 
ry,  that, 
he  back, 

him  be- 


eallsie,^„h,,.i,  US 

8»"«'"-nggiVo  ^?  as  tarring  do*,  .k.™  "'*"»«  very 

had  seremi  of  .r./".  "■«  ship  A^s  in?^ '  °V°P8allant. 
quence,  as  h«  ,T  •""«  conferred  ,."»  ''««'"'lj'.     I 

pleased  w^^„ 'u^f  ''««  «s  ma„roipf  "*"  *»  "'« ;Tf: 
21°  40'  -  TT  *  "'s  day.  at  r«    •  j  •    ^*^*e  foom 

Pf-'vaCsf  a'"crL'^'«  l^-^o^  s'ir, -''-^,  sights';? 
/»'«*;  andiS°°  '^.'^^  ""aped  to  mL^^"k"'««' 
*e  trade  wind.  "'^  »ow  drawi„„  ""«  Bashes 

^'^'h  ^"-^  sho::;:°r'°"^"r;:  r^inr  "^"^ 

<^«»  w-ieh  liffht  T-  J  ^'^  ''**"•      Dav  oA       ,°y  squall., 

"Landiiof'tirT        *"®  eheerino  La        ^^^  nJormW 
*«  «»e  one  of  tL    '""^  ««f  Wthe  m«l  t^^'*^"S  «'/  of 

^^^«se  islands,  about  J^*  '««g't«de,  from  r?     '''''^^' 
trance  to  the  China  ,      *^^^''  '"  number  \'^«"«^ich./ 
I  direction,  abo,^  «      f  *^'  ^d  extend  ;«'  ^*''"'"  ^^^e  etf, 
inlands  ^^.T^H'^  ^""dredandThlrtv^r"''-^*^^'^^^^^^ 

I  ^h  iost  sight  of  th«  '^'^'^  ^«^dure.  A t  q  p  "i^  «°* 
«o^  becan.e%ar^b/j*«";;o  the  east..arf  Vh  ^•'•''^'■« 
and  as  we  had  hlTr  *""*  ^'^e  weather  d«rt      .     ^'''ds 

*'»  were  talteu  in -T.   ^  «  Pfeireniire  al/i    '.'?"'» 


146 


Lire    ON   THE    OCEAir. 


Jf '  J. 

im 


lant-yards  were  sent  down ;  and  the  t0]>sails  were  double- 
reefed,  for  the  first  time  during  four  months.  At  sunset, 
a  heavy  cross  sea  rolled  in  from  the  north-west,  with 
severe  squalls  of  wind  and  rain,  accompanied  with  heavy 
thunder,  and  flashes  of  sharp,  vivid  lightning.  It  con- 
tinued thus  throughout  the  night ;  but  in  the  morning 
of  the  30th,  it  cleared  off,  and  the  wind  hauled  to  the 
eastward,  when  the  reefs  were  all  shook  out,  the  yards 
and  masts  sent  up,  and  every  sail  was  set  to  the  flowing 
breeze. 

May  1.  —  The  wind  continued  this  day  light  but  fair, 
and  we  saw  many  aquatic  birds,  which  generally  hover 
near  the  land.  We  continued  on  our  westerly  course, 
without  any  thing  material  transpiring,  until  May  6th, 
when  we  saw  the  Island  of  Pedro  Blanco,  at  10  A.  M., 
bearing  west-by-north,  distant  seven  leagues.  Thus  the 
passage  from  the  coast  was  made  in  seventy-two  days, 
deducting  sixteen  days,  the  time  spent  at  the  Sandwich 
Islands.  We  continued  running  to  the  westward  until 
sunset,  and  then  shortened  sail,  the  Ladrone  Islands 
being  in  sight — continued  throughout  the  night  under 
short  sail,  and  at  daylight  on  the  seventh,  the  breeze 
freshening,  made  all  sail.  Saw  several  junks,  which  we 
supposed  to  be  piratical  cruisers.  At  5  P.  M.,  came  to  an 
anchor,  with  a  small  bower,  in  fifteen  fathoms  of  water, 
in  Macao  roads,  distant  half  a  league  from  the  land. 
Throughout  the  night,  kept  a  sharp  look-out,  as  the 
Ladrone  Islands,  at  this  time,  were  infested  with  pirates. 

May  8. — This  morning,  sent  a  boat  on  shore,  which 
soon  returned  with  a  Chinese  pilot,  and  a  chop,  or  pass, 
to  proceed  up  the  river.  Throughout  this  day,  it  was , 
calm. 

May  9.  —  Got  under  way  this  morning,  with  a  leading  | 
breeze,  and  stood  up  the  River  Tigris.  Saw  two  s 
with  American  ensigns  flying  at  their  peaks.  We  s{ 
them,  and  learned  they  were  the  Ann  and  Hope,  of  I 
Providence,  and  America,  of  New  York.  These  wewl 
the  first  American  vessels  we  had  seen  since  we  left  our| 
native  laud;   we  desired  them  to  report  us.    Wt 


>  double- 
t  sunset, 
ist,  with 
ih  heavy- 
It  con- 
roorning 
3(1  to  the 
he  yards 
)  flowing 

;  but  fair, 
liy  hover 
y  course, 
May  6th, 
.0  A.  M., 
Thus  the 
two  days, 
Sandwich 
irard  until 
9  Islands 
;ht  under 
le  breeze 
which  we 
ame  to  an 
of  water, 
the  land. 
It,  as  the 
th  pirates. 
)re,  which 
p,  or  pass, 
ay,  it  was 

1  a  leading 
two  ships 
We  spoke  I 
I  Hope,  of 
'hese  werej 
ive  left  our| 
18.     Wl 


f 


'•  '4t» 

F 

r'i 

t 

■I  ■»« 

li 

'         . 

» 

nw 

, 

0'     :\  I 

mm 

1 

3      J 

1     := 

1 

^llMlk 


Btai 

lige 

Iiidj 

galli 

O 

chor 

half 

of  all 

ber  o 

about 

becon 

consei 

indee< 

proacf 

Cap 

Cantoi 

up  the 

Ladror 

could  1 

general 

were  al 

strippin 

been  de 

unneces 
every  yi 

ging,  m 

single  bl 

rove  thr 

the  purj 

been  oir« 

ship  to  h 

tant  duty 

the  Work 

starboard 

the  larboa 

performan 

»yoId  mc 

clapped  a 

taught  me 


.  fe 


Mr.   oif  TH«   0C«4If.  .  , 

Standing  up  the  riVer  in  th«  «•  u 
Jigence  of  the  piJorwe     *^%"^f^^^»»«>ugn  the  ne^. 
Iiidiaman,andcLedl;"°J;:^»  o^        English  fiSft 
gailant-mast.  ^  ^^^^^  <>"'  Jib-boom  and  fore-ioj! 

chored  atVh°r'"^  ^^  *^«  lO'h,  at  10  A  M 
halfX^  *^bampoa,  after  an  abtenc«  if        ^'^  ^®  ">- 
ftaii  from  our  native  land      W«  2!    !  ?^  ®"®  y®*'  and  a 

oer  of  American  ships  WAhinJf  *  *"®'®  wereanum- 

about  fifteen  miles  ftomtK' TS°««-  ^hamj^a^s 
becomes  narrower  from  Whl  ^  °^  ^«°*<>n-  Tl  ,  rite' 
consequently  it  will  n^*  ^  "^P*"*'  «"<*  «he  water  shol  l!f 
-deej  the  ChLrse  wi?l  ^'o'"!:!  'T.^'  ^^  heavy7rauth[: 
Proach  the  city  nearlr  than  t^TJT'^.^^''^^"  ^^^^^  "  al' 
Captain  W.  and  hi.  hi     ®  '*"®'  P'a<^-  ^ 

Canton,  and  orXrs  cami  Hn '''"' u  ^'^  immediately  to 

been  described  i/,he  nL.S'  ''"*'•  ^'  «his  duty  hw 
unnecessary  to  enter  i?^^"?  P*"  »'  'his  work  if  S 
•very  y^Jm^'^d  Z  «  w  /  "^<"'  '« '"  «y.'  hal 
8ing,  was  sent  down  on'^d!^!,  '"  f  *"*'y  P'ece  of  Z- 

»ngle  block  a.^  each  n.I-taj  wLh"*^  '«"»8  'o"  b"  « 

»ve  through  It,  both  eISs  of  Vl'h"  '■°^' "  S^ng, 

Ae  purpose  of  swayineVh.  ^^  •       "T*"  »°  «*=': fw 

been  overhauled,    ffi  i.  '  k"?*""?  """ft  •<■'«  ,t  h^ 

h'P  to  her  girt-lines ;  md  aT^  ^"<"»  «=»"  stripping 

•Mt  duty  it  is,  especially  ft, '!!7„  necessary  «„d  im^* 

*e  work  was  divided Ve°Z^'"fh!!T*"-     '""""Wp 

starboard  watch  takins  the  fo,»  '"°  watches,  the 

fte  larboard  watch  the  m^„  l''i^"'»?'  «»d  bowsprit  «^^ 

performance  of  this  dntw  t^  '"'z^en-masts.    !„  Z 

■»yold  messmate,  Ja?fc'§ki^»^''»"r''  ">«  l»«"er  of 

gapped  a  gang  of  rSZe  'a  S?i  "-'""*'  "^^""^^r 

«»^t  me  how  to  MrilJ^d  ril'"P\"»*«-''ead.     He 

nng  and  ng  a  ship,  and  in  the 


'li  ::  ! 


148 


LIFE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


duty  which  was  now  going  on  I  became  something  of 
a  'tiioficieint  through  his  instruction ;  fur  I  soon  learned 
how  to  turn  in  a  dead-eye,  and  put  the  rigging  over  a 
mast-head,  as  well  as  various^^Kner  kinds  of  work,  in  a 
tolerably  seaman-like  manner.  In  about  ten  days  every 
yard  and  mast  was  overhauled,  as  well  as  the  lower 
topmast  and  top-gallant-rigging ;  the  tops  were  also  lifted, 
and  every  mast-head  examined,  and  soon  our  ship  was 
ail  a-tanto  again,  wifh  royal  and  sky  sail-yards  athwart. 
While  this  duty  was  being  performed,  the  ship  was 
calked  from  her  bends  up,  including  decks,  &,c. ;  and  in 
a  few  days  after  she  was  painted  inside  and  out.  when 
she  presented  to  the  eye,  both  in  symmetry  and  finish, 
as  beautiful  a  specimen  of  what  a  ship  should  be  as  ever 
rode  to  an  anchor  in  Whampoa. 

Orders  were  received  from  the  captain,  in  Canton,  that 
the  vessel  must  be  got  in  readiness  to  receive  the  famous 
John  Tuck,  or  the  great  mandarin,  who  takes  the  meas- 
urement of  every  craft,  for  which  a  pretty  round  price 
is  exacted.  In  two  days  he  came  aboard,  in  great 
pomp,  bringing  with  him  a  large  retinue ;  and  he  went 
through  the  ceremony  of  measuring,  which  occupied  at 
least  as  much  time  as  would  have  taken  an  American 
surveyor  to  take  the  dimensions  of  twenty  ships.  Great 
respect  and  attention,  however,  were  shown  him,  it  being 
advisable  to  do  so ;  for,  in  default  thereof,  Mr.  John  Tuck 
would  have  tucked  on  a  very  considerable  advance  in  the 
"  cumskaw"  allowed  him  for  his  services.' 

I  shall  pass  over  dates  during  the  period  of  our  stay 
in  Canton,  as  it  was  understood  that  we  should  remain 
here  for  some  length  of  time  for  teas,  which  had  not 
yet  come  in. 

The  ship  being  no\v  in  complete  order,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  with  so  large  a  crew,  there  was  much  spare  time, 
and  liberty  was  given  by  Capt.  W.  for  a  part  of  the  crew 
to'  visit  Canton.  As  almost  every  man  on  board  had  an  ad- 
venture when  we  left  Boston,  and  which  adventure  had 
been  sold  on  the  coast,  Spanish  dollars  were  tolerably 
plentiful  among  the  crew.     It  was  an  atnazing  sight  to 


Iwc 

dres 

and 

effec 

and 

Chin 

palm 

conip 

into  a 

trinke 

upon, 

thougi 

dollars 
immed 
course 
up  the  J 
and  abc 
and  })e{ 
good  ou 
thing  elJ 
unless  t 
lower  cl 
thieves  o 
Were  not 
'ug  in  tft 
stolen  fn 
allotted  ti 
sh'P  again 
^m  to  Cl 
I'ad  antici 
and  about 
loathsome 
^an's  Isia 
physician  c 
want  of  me 

'JV^gJitc 
o^them. 
oot  Jose  a  n: 


khing  of 
learned 
;  over  a 
)rk,  in  a 
^s  every 
e  lower 
30  lifted, 
ihip  was 
Eithwart. 
[lip  was 
;  and  in 
t.  when 
d  finish, 
!  as  ever 

ton,  that 
\  famous 
le  meas- 
nd  price 
n  great 
he  went 
upied  at 
merican 
Great 
it  being 
in  Tuck 
e  in  the 

)ur  stay 

remain 

had  not 


•  -  ■    ■ 

"•"^   ON  THE   OCEAN. 

company  with  ,h      "'''"*"  on  them     (C^    ""^J''  w^ 
into  s  "LrM      "t  •*  *■<««  of  mv  «h,^  ^^J"'  "^ile  in 

npon,  and  th«  H^    ®\**"  selected  thT  „  •    ***•  ""^ 
and  began  to  h!?  P^'^^se,  with  long  bS     *^  ^'^®«> 

loathsom!.  T^  "  **  "rew  were  tat»nT     contracted, 
f*y»'ci«  on  b^^  V*""''  '^'^  4  n  p„n  r.  "' 


*r 


1 


180 


LIFE    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


I 
a 

I 
I 


So  much  has  been  written  in  reference  to  the  habits 
and  traits  of  the  Chinese,  that  I  deem  it  unnecessary  to 
swell  this  work  by  entering  into  further  detail  respecting 
them.  It  may  not  be  amiss,  however,  to  notice  that 
which  attracts  the  attention  of  almost  every  one  who 
visits  Canton.  I  was  not  a  little  surprised  to  behold  the 
many  souls  who  appear  to  have  their  residences  exclu- 
sively upon  the  bosom  of  the  river ;  and  I  was  credibly 
informed  that  there  were  not  less  than  three  millions 
who  are  doomed  to  pass  a  miserable  existence  on  the 
water,  for  crimes  that  had  been  committed  against  the 
laws,  or  for  some  violation  of  their  religious  rites.  They 
reside  in  boats  that  are  covered  all  over,  and  procure  a 
living  by  selling  various  articles  to  foreigners  on  ship- 
board, and  washing  for  the  ships'  crews.  At  night  their 
boats  are  pulled  in  shore  and  made  fast,  but  they  are 
never  permitted  to  land.  Many  of  them  are  miserable 
in  the  extreme,  subsisting  on  whatever  they  can  solicit 
from  the  foreign  ships,  and  on  the  offal  which  is  thrown 
overboard. 

Our  stay  was  so  much  protracted  here,  that  we  all 
grew  wearied,  and  ardently  longed  for  the  period  to 
arrive  when  we  should  weigh  anchor  for  Yankee-land. 
At  length,  on  the  24th  of  August,  our  prospects  began  to 
brighten  for  this  desirable  object,  as  on  this  day  we 
commenced  taking  in  our  homeward  cargo ;  but,  to  my 
gi'eat  surprise  and  mortification,  we  were  upwards  of  a 
month  before  the  ship  was  loaded. 

September  28.  —  We  had  now  all  our  cargo  on  board, 
and,  the  ship  being  ready  for  sea,  nothing  was  wanting 
except  that  the  captain  had  not  yet  come  down  from 
Canton,  although  he  was  expected  every  hour. 


SAIL 


feavin 

to  do 

quickl 

tune  o 

was  u 

pany  « 

^rejghte 

Octoi 

road,  ar 


jy-y.:^ 


->J  J     Hij-tXk   n.U\ 


"li&tii  4*-«ijp.  ^MSM  «  WftUj  /■; 


A.  M., 

discover* 
(^f  the 
our  depa 
^ith  the 

^'  ^.,  th 
^ne  coast 
'he  Lad 

•^stance. 

"'e  Were 

sty  and 

hands  wer, 

^'^w  beinc 

«gam  to  c 

J^ain  p/act 

J»«&ctjon 
l««er  this 


fo 


\\ 


ie  habits 
:essary  to 
especting 
)tice  that 
one  who 
ehold  the 
;es  exclu- 
;  credibly 

millions 
;e  on  the 
rainst  the 
js.  They 
procure  a 
3  on  ship- 
light  their 

they  are 
miserable 
:an  solicit 
is  thrown 

lat  we  all 
period  to 
nkee-land. 
s  began  to 
is  day  we 
but,  to  my 
wards  of  a 

)  on  board, 
BIS  wanting 
lown  from 
>ur. 


"^-^Ift^.    151 


*'^'«mi 


'  X.     *i#  !■' 


CHAPTER   xm. 


4. 


September  29 n        « 

having  unmoored  th^Ti  ^'  ^''"^ed  at  o  a   tu, 

*«  <io  but  to  beav^      '*^'  previously  L  u  ^  ^''  ««<* 

quickly  done  bv?       "^  ^»'-  single  an^r  ^^  "^'^ing 

freighted  with  fhl  *^'  ^^  ProWdenpp  JiT     .^^  ^^^' 

Wered  that  our  Iht  **^''  "^^'e^'y  wind  an/  " 
ol  the  Baltic  in  „  :  ^  "*»  "ery  much  TiT'  ''  *^ 
»«  departure  frolr",'  "*■  »«"'«?     At  1  '^^"P«rio' 

P.  M-  'he^r^^.^'de  .he  beaT^?  ot^t"*  A^" 
kter  this  wMdn  *''''*'■''««  also  chCu  i^  ,2''' «""' 


,1: 

Sir 


162 


LIFE    ON    THE    0CEA2I. 


II 

« 
ft 


tomary,  the  starboard  watch  had  the  first  four  hours 
on  deck :  I  say,  as  customary,  because  the  larboard  or 
chief  mate's  watch  takes  the  ship  when  outward  bound, 
and  the  starboard  or  captain's  watch,  when  homeward 
bound.  Throug'?  ut  this  night  the  wind  was  fresh  and 
fair,  and  our  shii,  with  her  light  and  buoyant  Canton 
cargo,  bounded  '"rei  Jne  sea  like  a  race-horse,  and,  to  my 
imagination,  seeined  as  eager  to  reach  her  appointed 
destination,  as  if  possessed  with  the  power  of  thought 
and  reflection.  Certainly  she  did  not  lack  for  canvass, 
for  sail  after  sail  was  set,  until  no  more  could  be  spread 
to  advantage. 

It  was  a  merry  night ;  for,  long  after  eight  bells  were 
struck,  and  the  watch  had  turned  in,  the  jovial  laugh 
was  heard  from  those  who  were  snugly  coiled  away  in 
their  berths,  while  the  watch  on  deck,  in  different  groups, 
were  singing  their  favorite  ballads,  smacked  with  the 
exploits  of  pirates  and  highwaymen,  which  old  sailors 
so  much  delight  in ;  and  another  group,  hanging  round 
the  windlass,  seemed  to  be  very  positive  in  their  calcu- 
lations as  to  the  number  of  days  we  should  be  in  mak- 
ing the  passage  to  Boston.     "  Avast  there ! "  said  an  old 
salt;  "don't  be  counting  the  chickens  before  they  are 
hatched.     I've  known  a  faster  ship  than  this  to  be  more 
than  six  months  making  a  passage;   ay,  and  a  pretty 
time  we  had  of  it, — for  I  was  in  that  self-same  ship.    Our 
captain  was  a  young  man,  and  had  just  as  nice  a  suit  of 
hair  on  his  napper  as  you  might  see  in  a  day's  walk ;  but, 
what  with  ealms,  squalls,  head  winds,  and  gales,  on  the 
passage  home,  it  made  him  rave  like  some  chaps  who 
have  their  jibs  bowsed  out  taut,  so  that  he  tore  all  the 
hair  out  of  the  top  of  his  head,  and  when  we  got  home,  he 
was  just  as  bald  as  a  guinea  pig."     At  this  point  the 
watch  gathered  around  him,  and  he  spun  out  a  marvel- 
lous yarn  of  gales,  and  calms,  and  short  allowances,  when 
it  was  cut  short  by  eight  bells  being  struck,  and  the 
boatswain's  mate  piping  the  larboard  watch  on  deck. 

Oct  7. — Nothing  of  importance  transpired  the  few  pre- 
ceding days;  the  weather  continued  good,  and  thu  wind 


raj 
IsJ 
We 
itc 
cull 
qua 
curr 
char 
tient 
nevei 
on  th 
ahead 
certaji 
the  ah 
we  pa. 
of  all  , 
think  e 
Octo 
bearing 
We  ex^ 
shoals,  I 
txoti  pai( 
Octoh 
became  ( 
"Jg  west 
a  carrent 
short,  the 
*^a  soon 
wade  the 
^and  to  a 
and  at  4  J 
^hich,  as 
derated, 
set,  Vfixh  a 
continued  ( 

tw^enty  mij 
"««'•'/  caIn 


r  hours 
card  or 

bound, 
meward 
esh  and 

Canton 
i,  to  my 
^pointed 
thought 
canvass, 
e  spread 


«•»«   OW  ,HE   OCEAN. 

U&  S^"!:  breezes.    At  10  AM  "^ 

«  f  uid  be  ie"  ^"'r.:  ''^  ^•'o  very /eJ."^'"".^  'he 
<="I«K  to  «reath"' ,? ,?"'"'  ^  that  we  fo„1^  "^  "  ^^o^ 
quarter  of  a  m»l  ,'  "■*•■«  "^Wg  two  Lfn^  f"*  *ffi- 

lent  risk.  These-!.  I  ^^''  although  it  ^f  .""■"igh  a 
never  forget  thT  "^^'a^  called  thf  rlr^  ''  "^  ■mmi- 

^head,  and,  S  '"  '?"''  out  for  rST^'J  ^^  sent 
certainly  .vL™/"' passing  through  the  .1      ''.  ■"makers 

file  ship, )  I, 'r'"''^''  ">an  thr™  tir«   *?"^'' ("'Wch 
'^o  passed  Zoll"?'  T"  "»'  at  a„  '^^^  'he  le„g,h  „? 
f,  all  o„  boa  d  'f nd  /"^'^'  '°  '^e  no  smaS;,,  happily. 
'h«.k  all  my  fu'tu-  „^'f"'"«"y  '»  myseiri  f ''^^action      - 
^    OeMer  n  il";^  P^spects  were  thef,  tot„    "^^an  to 

^«aring  <ve..:„~  ^^^  ""'p'''^'. '^^  'h"  Z^:^Zf 
»e  experienewl ,    .        *'     Massing  thrn..»h  Ti.      '  ™"ea 
shoals,  a  X,„  ,^  f  ""S  current,  and  a«  h    ""^^  '"aits, 
"■»'•  P^id  to  thVhe^""'  ^-^  ^4^t'Zu7:  '^""""any 

.iK^ame  cloudv    Th.''  IT'"^  moderated  anH  .i, 

a  e<«e«t  run"""'',  J»  f "'errng  thesfst^^ 

short,  the  winA  f-      ""®s  per  hour     t     "'  ^'*  'ound 

"ade  the'S^tnSoTf ''■'"'■  «"^°"^he^5.h"n '■=''•>* 
'and  to  a  n.-,.,;,-         *  •'a^a.     We  <it,%orf    ■      °'"  October 

«»d  at4p^'S'7,r*ed  out  b/th^D^tl! '"  ^"h  the 

"'•ich,  as  i  „;  w'''"'  "lem,  wi[h  "m  -h       Passengers, 

«en.ted      i,^"t"'""''  ^>'am  W  wi''r  «ffec,s,^o 

«'.  *i'h  a  modem^.''^'=°"P''shed,  a^Jf  Sj'J^  '<"»»- 

j:-^  miles  St'  t„,lre'  K™  ?'  "■-  ".an  | 

kubfes  bl»'  '"^  'h«  rain  fe  I  i„  ,^  "'^  •''"a-     It  was  I 

I    ^^;^- ^'^^ -his  J .;;;-:-, ^Now^t 


i» 


I. 


<:imsamml&SWff 


■    *««*-wM»W|»v<.6 


154 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEA'K. 


• 
I 


of  the  Httte  monsoon,  it  frequently  happens  that  tbof^ 
are  thirty  or  forty  days  of  alternate  calms,  squnlls,  audi 
rain,  before  the  other  monsoon  fairly  sets  in.  Alas ! 
this,  to  ouf  great  mortification,  we  ezperiencedj  ^nd  ail 
our  fair  prospects  and  close  calculations  of  m^iking  a 
s^ort  passage  were  in  a  few  days  sadly  reversed  j;  fn^ 
day  after  day  rolled  away,  with  obdurate  calms  and 
heavy  rains.  At  intervals  light  airs  would  f>pring  up, 
but  they  were  generally  ahead,  und  did  not  last  more 
than  an  hour  or  two.  Serious  thoughts  began  to  be  en- 
tertained by  some  of  the  old,  su|)erstitioii8  sailors,  that 
we  must  have  a  Jonah  on  board,  and  at  length  their 
snspieions  fell  upon  the  old  salt  who  had  amu.«ied  uc  so 
much  with  his  marvellous  yam  on  the  night  of  our  de- 
parture from  Macao. 

"  You're  aa  unlucky  chap,"  said  an  old  croaker  to  him, 
a«i  we  were  seated  around  our  kids  of  beef  and  tin  pots 
of  tea  at  supper  in  the  last  dog-watch ;  "I  just  thought, 
when  I  heard  you  spinning  that  long  yam  the  other  night, 
that  no  good  luck  would  attend  us  while  you  are  on 
board.  Hark  ye,  Tom,"  continued  the  old  croaker ;  "  how 
was  it  that  the  shot  from  that  beggarly  Spa,iiiard,  which 
cut  away  the  breech  of  old  Stitch  there,  didn't  take  your 
napper  off?  you  were  right  in  the  wake  of  the  shot, 
though  you  happened  to  have  your  head  down  at  the 
time;  and,  now  I  remember,  you  were  in  the  armorer's 
gang  on  the  island,  when  Joe  Pavis  tumbled  off  the  hill 
and  broke  his  neck." 

During  this  miserably  superstitious  harangue  there  were 
a  number  of  sailors  collected  around  the  speaker,  who 
appeared  to  swallow  every  word  that  he  uttered,  as  if  it 
were  pure  gospel  trath.  For  my  own  part,  I  thought 
these  most  unjust  suspicions  might  have  rested  upon 
myself  with  much  more  color  of  truth  than  on  the  ac- 
cused, for  it  will  be  recollected  that,  when  I  fell  from 
the  foretop,  I  broke  the  hold  of  my  shipmate  by  the  fall, 
which  precipitated  him  into  the  sea  to  be  drowned. 
^  From  the  duration  of  these  incessant  calms  and 
mins,  we  not  only  lost  all  hopes  of  making  a  short  pas- 


sag, 

cast 

Frai 

this 

ceed 

uV 

the  1 

seen, 

days 

miles 

and  fa 

of  feel 

grumh 

tenanc< 

picioijs 

w^earing 

diVinati( 

passage. 

restoratit 

utmost  h 

^s  regarJ 

Pations  oj 

'bounded 

'ni'e  shor: 

and  reflec 

'"Wy  ton 

,  ^aspeculj 

fable  pro. 

'orward  w 

arrival  in  t 

'^as,  that  I 

I  'nessmate, 

J'>''i'chhe  w 

J&av^ehinigr 

l;n  some  deg 

t^  officers  i 

ih  "^^"^  ^as, 
pbted  for  ni 

December 
16* 


[Is,  And 

Mas  I 

md  ali 

iking  a 

018  and 
ing  up, 
It  more 
>  be  en- 
rs,  that 
h  tbeir 
>.d  uc  so 
our  de- 

'  to  him, 
tin  pots 
[hought, 
er  night, 

I  are  on 
• ;  "  how 
I,  which 
Bike  your 
he  shot, 

II  at  the 
irmorer's 
r  the  hill 


WFE    OV   tub.    ^ 

^   THE    OCEAN. 

*»ge»  but  the  newo  ^^^ 

th's  article  ^r^®  "^«ood  Ho^?/     '"*"  ^^i  Isle  of 

and  (air  vinT^ '''«'"'  "^  Jara.     Th'    J  "*  '*"  hundred 

grumbliot  "rf"f  "le  ship's  commnv     Tl'^'"«  "^ge 
•enances  and  „?«' '°°''''  Bare  ^"Z'e  Zu   *«»"'<"«, 

wearing  awav-T^^i'*"  "P°n  ocIt"  ""*  ""Just  sus- 

'Is  regards  mi,JifV  *"'*'>  amone  th»  Jm  '     "  ""at  the 

bounded  otr.h?;?,''  ""•»  to  '^  nd  iltS'"'\'«"«- 
""■'e  shortenL  ,K     ."*  """'e'  'o  theT    '  ^  ">« 'hip 
I  •"'I  'eflec&ht*  ''■'•^"oo.  which  nduIeH  '"'"''  «'«/ 
'"hly  to-  mv^f„  .•     ,"""ed  me,  if  ^.S^  "^'ations 

"abirpr<^i„^f"'''0'mg_„an,eir,^;5r/«flections 
forward  w/,h^  ?  ««amanship andnari^.  .■  ^^  "'«<'e  'ol- 

:-,.h:?fh''ad''re'„tr  ^--h- „rrf  ^of"''-    ■ 

messmate  Ja-fr  2    " 'ns'rumenial  in  , "  ^F ? "' P'^asure 

le'fe  him  great  ZT  ?  '*  '°  <^°  'oleraW  v^.m   ^""P^res, 
l»  some  dS^i  ?""*"'<"'•   Uadalsl'^h     ''""■'"hioh 

I  Oecemier  16.  _  Th-    j    ^  'earned  in  the  nr„&       "'  ' 

I  15  •    —  ^"'^  <'«y.  "os^d  the  ShTiZ       ■ 


156 


LITE   ON  TBB   OGKAIT. 


Ue  of  France,  without  any  material  alteration  of  wind 
or  weather,  but  such  as  is  common  to  the  trade  winds. 
The  weather  now  began  to  assume  an  entirely  different 
appearance ;  it  was  dark,  cloudy,  and  threatening,  with 
a  heavy  cross  swell  ,*  and  if  this  had  been  the  season  of 
the  hurricanes,  no  doubt  we  should  have  had  one  of 
them,  as  I  understood  these  signs  were  the  precursors 
of  those  frightful  storms.  The  light  sails  were  all  taken 
in  at  sunset,  and  the  royal-yards  sent  on  deck.  During 
the  night,  it  blew  strong,  with  snr^all  rain,  when  we  took 
In  all  the  atudding-sails. 


■ 


■■j'-jstt^'^Vi.iv  ■^■'^M^!?'^'  'sfii*  ijv*  "•':?";?■> 


)f  wind 
9  winds, 
different 
ng,  with 
Bason  of 
i  one  of 
recursors 
all  taken 
During 
we  took 


.<♦:.■■• 


M 


m 

J 

:. .  yi» 

1 

I4<!  25 

' 

IffC 

t      .'    '  : 

5*t  .»»*» 


mi. 


+» 


CNOLII 


Dec 

of  sev( 
be  the 
Canton 
this  su 
the  flee 
reasons 
ed  with 
picked 
Bnghsh 
Helena, 
they  ovt 
fer  a  de 
had  saile 
informati 
vas  clear 
I  "s,  all  sai 
I  ^he  wind 
J  of  course, 
s'le  gainec 
hours  she 
^or  the  pur 

J  During  the 
J  and  at  day 

Imortificatio 
ipreWous  dj 
^foad  dayli 
r^nt  from  Ui 


***^X»-  ^W¥^i    M%U 


'*   •***''*'^i?f*'^^tte 


--^iHHnat 


0 


o 
► 


I 


li 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


December  17 Tn 

of  seven  ships  to  .heZr™>S^'*''y'«h'.  ^^ aflee, 

reasons tKo*         '  °  ^®  chase  to  us  fnr  *u    r  ..      "" 

««le«a,  the  convo/obS  ^v  "  '■«°d«'=vous  «  S, 
*ey  overhauled  »o  go  into  gT'S',"'"''™'  vessel  ,h„ 
fef  a  detention  nntU  ten  1,  ^elena,  and  there  snf 
W  sailed.  This  tir^^'''  "^'^f  «i^"  Engl^Tfl^: 
".formation  to  .h"  ?"„ch°"^'°  P'"^™-^'  «S  gi^^j 
w«s  clearly  ascertainedZt.^T**'^-  ^^  ^"on  M°|f 
"».  aU  .sail  was  nJe  upT  h^'i"8r  ^"  ""  "h^  o" 

ana  at  daylight,  on  the  18th  I!     '^anable  and  squally  • 
fortification,   the  flew  wi,'       ''"'  ^^reat  surprise  and 

oroad  dayhght,  the  frigate  Linl     u       ^^^n^naenced  at 

-^—  »'-io^t>z.sir?^«sd. 


158 


Lire    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


I 

1 


she  had  gained  about  three  miles  upon  lis,  and  then 
gave  up  the  chase.  At  sunset,  the  frigate  was  out  of 
sight,  and,  having  ahered  our  course  a  little  during  the 
night,  we  saw  no  more  of  them. 

December  20.  —  This  day,  we  reached  the  parallel  of 
27°  SO'  south,  and  longitude  by  observation  30°  east. 
Our  fine  strong  breeze  left  us,  and  the  wind  became 
light,  variable,  and  westerly.  For  several  days,  similar 
wind  and  weather  continued,  without  any  material  al- 
teration ;  and,  of  course,  every  advantage  was  taken  of 
the  change  of  the  wind  to  get  to  the  westward.  On  the 
morning  of  the  28th,  we  found  ourselves  in  the  midst 
of  a  strong  current-ripple,  which  runs  rapidly  on  the 
edge  of  the  LaguUos  Bank  round  the  Cape,  until  it  loses 
itself  in  the  South  Atlantic  Ocean. 

The  weather  now  assumed  a  very  threatening  appear- 
ance ;   heavy,  dense  masses  of  black  clouds  rolled  up 
from  the  western  board,  with  thunder,  lightning,  and 
small  rain.    Every  necessary  preparation  was  now  made 
for  a  gale  ;  the  royal-yards,  masts,  d&c,  were  sent  down, 
and  the  flying  jib-boom  was  run  in  on  deck ;  preventer- 
gripes,  lashings,  &c.,  were  got  on  the  boats  and  spars, 
and  the  guns  were  well  secured.    At  meridian,  the  wind 
increased  from   west-north-west, '  the    topgallant-yards 
were  sent  down,  and  the  topsails  were  double-reefed. 
Reefing  topsails  is  one  among  the  most  exciting  scenes 
on  board  a  ship ;  and  it  was  so  with  us,  particularly  at 
this  time,  as  we  had  not  reefed  since  our  departure  from 
Canton.    Not  having  described  this  duty,  it  may  not  be 
amiss  to  do  so  in  this  place.     It  has  been  stated  in  the 
preceding  part  of  this  work,  that,  in  consequence  of  our 
crew  being  large,  all  Hands  were  never  called  to  reef 
topsails,  which,  however,  is  not  generally  the  case  with 
merchant  vessels,  because  of  the  small  number  compos- 
ing their  crews.     But  now  for  the  description  on  board 
of  our  ship ;  the  watch  was  divided  equally,  one  half 
forward,  and  the  other  half  aft ;  the  officer  of  the  watch 
then  gives  the  order— «'< Stand  by  the  topsail-halliards, 
man  the  clewlines,  let  go  the  buntlines  and  reef^taokies, 


and  I 

slack 

is  do 

the  CI 

men 

the  yi 

bracec 

buntlii 

out;  t 

earing: 

iiig  liki 

fast  an 

the  tof 

despatc 

blUJtlJiH 

the  yar 
tending, 
boats  wai 
known  t 
and  the 
haih'ards 
were  eie 
practice. 
Bur  to 
the  fore 
foresail,  i 
board  taci 
«^as  terrifi 
a  short,  hi 
tion,  and  j 
fogether  w 
I  impossible 
|s'»ort  inter 
[Wackness, 
horrid  din, 
'wse  in  thi! 
*e  ship  be 
Jroaming  ere 
pn  the  im 


«•»«    ON  THE   OCMMtt. 

and  Stand  bv  th«  i««  K  ^^^ 

done  w  ,ha.  ,he  ZZvl^"^"'^"^'"    Th2 

braced  so  an  ♦«  "®  **^  ^aut,  and  the  J^ '      ?  " 

?anngs,  and  the  seamen  from  ^?    !?  ""  weather  and  lee 

despatch  to  the  deck      Th     r^'.^nd  with  all  nossibll 

known  the  toosa  l«  t«  k    T^^Y"  or  "  Make  fast  »  r  i, 
and  the  sai  sTet  ,n    ^  '^^^''^^efed  on  boaXhii  T^ 
halliards  ^eretl  "go"^"  ^i""^-  ^-n/th'^  f^V'i^J 

were  eleven  minml^o^vL'  k"1?"^«'  '^^^^ver'  we 
Pi^nce.  H  ,^       '  '''''"»'  probabJy,  to  the  want  If 

But  to  return;  at  4  P  M   ,♦  ui 
[oresail,  and  brought  the  Jhtn  k      u^^  ^""^^  ^"'led  the 

w^ts  -t^  !:t  -Pi  'o  tt  hCS''  "^r  -  - 
5c'«'j?n^rS"<'"'^^^^^^^      - 

^possible  ,0  fix  .Sn^h**^''*»<'f  lightning,  made  it 
*««  intervals.     ThVht"r  ""J'  """ject^xTept^ 
.WaokneM,   while  pea]  on  Z?  ^[^  ""e^pread   with 

I'wse  in  this  contentinn  r^  ♦u  *"®  luries  werp  /*.f 

]*•  'Wp  ««haved  gXuv*!  *"""«  e'e™<».r  Bm 
fc"2  ere..,  had  fXT^n"  ^^  T,  "•"«'''  »»«'  «^"h 

f '•"  ""''-^"«  ^"^  "^  *^hti^e,"zr^^^^^^^^ 


|i:;l 


''S»5«««**a«B««««««., 


160 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


I 

I 
i 

I 

I 
ft 
(. 

r 

r 

I 

ft 

I 
f 

I 


miich  longer  resist  the  waves.    Indeed,  what  conld  wood 
and  iron  do,  although  managed  hy  the  most  consum- 
mate skill,  and  stoutest  hearts,  against  the  frightful  gale 
in  such  a  fearful  night  as  this  ?     At  11  P.  M.,  a  squall,  the 
violence  of  which  exceeded  any  of  the  preceding  gusts, 
struck  her  a-beam,  and  at  the  same  moment  a  heavy  sea 
broke  under  the  counter,  tripping  her,  which,  together 
with  the  violence  of  the   wind,  immediately  sent  her 
over,  with  her  gunwales  under  water.     Happily,  at  this 
instant  the  main-topsail  was  blown  away  from  the  bolt- 
rope  ;  and,  eased  of  the  pressure,  she  immediately  righted ; 
but  the  loss  of  the  after-sail  had  caused  her  to  fall  off 
four  points  ,*  as  soon,  however,  as  she  felt  the  action  of 
the  helm,  she  began  to  luff  up  to  the  wind.     Then  was 
heard  the  hoarse  voice  of  the  first  officer,  which  rose 
distinctly  above  the  roaring  elements,   "Secure   your- 
selves, every  man  of  you  !  "     I  caught  a  turn  with  the 
main-clew-garnet  around  my  body  and  the  raain-swifler, 
and  then,  casting  my  eye  over  the  rail  to  windward,  saw 
a  huge  black  mass,  which  came  rolling  on  toward  our 
beam  with  frightful  rapidity,  as  if  impelled  by  some  fury 
eager  to  swallow  the  ship  up  for  its  prey.     It  was  an 
awful  moment  —  the  ship  could  not  shun  the  sea.    I 
heard  and  saw  no  more,  until  I  felt  I  was  nearly  up  to 
my  arm-pits  in  water.     For  a  few  minutes  she  lay  water- 
logged ;  fortunately,  however,  all  the  lee  ports  had  been 
triced  up,  and  she  quickly  freed  herself  from  the  im- 
mense weight  of  water,    which   must  otherwise  have 
caused  her  to  founder.     But  our  troubles  were  not  yet 
over,  for  all  the  ring-bolts  had  been  started,  and  many 
of  the  timbers  to  which  the  guns  were  secured  were 
broken,  and  four  of  the  waist-guns  were  adrift,  or  hang- 
ing merely  to  the  broken  timbers.     "  Launch  the  guns 
overboard !  "  shouted  Capt.  W.,  "  or  they  will  make  day- 
light through  the  ship ; "  for  two  of  the  guns  were  partly 


spiki 
und£ 
sceii< 
any  I 

quick 
two  ^ 
got  til 
adrift 
the  ha 
an  hoi 
night  r 
came  n 
the  mai 
f'or  thr« 
^ion  as  t 
time  we 
it  being 
deed  an 
had  on  i 
ihree  cas 
On  th 
wind  mo 
iiid  east! 
^il  was  s 
fhe  west\\ 
fine,  with 
position,  a 
(ude  22° 
^^iiHe  at  a 
fu»'s  altitu 
isowing  to 
WIS  season 
Jnnuary 
» had  do 


hanging  over  the  side.  It  was  a  dangerous  service,  btt'BiT^  ^^®  ^^^ 
this  was  no  time  for  skulking.  I  saw  the  fearlessB."®  so«th-ej 
second  officer  —  whom  no  danger  could  appal,  and  ^hol"'*'*'  to  adv 
never  quailed  from  any  duty  —  with  a  hatchet  and  band-l^  ^/^®  nort 

^»uth-east  ti 

16 


nld  wood 
consum- 
itful  galQ 
iquall,  the 
ing  gusts, 
lieavy  sea 
,  together 
sent  her 
ly,  at  this 
I  the  bolt- 
y  righted ; 
to  fall  off 
action  of 
rhen  was 
fhich  rose 
ure  your- 
1  with  the 
in-swifter, 
[ward,  saw 
oward  our 
some  fury 
It  was  an 
he  sea.  I 
arly  up  to 
lay  water- 
I  had  been 
m  the  im- 
wise  have 
sre  not  yet 
and  many 
ured  were 
t,  or  hang- 
h  the  guns 
make  day 


■Pifee  in  his  hands  fnii       .  ,  ™ 

""<*a"»ted  Jack  s;^"'^^^^^^^^  ^V  ^  old  messmate  th« 
«cene  of  disaster.     rfA/^^^^'^'^s'y  Proceedinrtot? 
^ny  hazardous  dutv  I  .  '^^  ^?^'  P"^«  to  be  en^^al J -^ 
?"^<^i''y  cut   away  Ve   IT^'^^^^^  Joined  thert" 
two  guns,  which  werl\lrn^T  ^"^  breechings  of  th! 
£ot  them  clear  of  ^e  shTp    ^'f"^^"^  ^^^^  thf  side,  and 
^f^;  and,  although  with  iZT  '''"''«  ^^^  two  more 
he  hazard  oflife  aud  iTmb  1  "*'""''  ^'««"'ty,  and  ^ 

''l>e>"g  impossible  tocook  r,h"  ""^  P""' ""dbj^^ 
feed  an  unfortunate  gale  for  ?„  ^u'^^-  This  wS 
W  on  boani  was  wfshed  off '.If  "'J  ""'  <■'•«"'  «ock  we 
">ree  casks  of  water      '     "*  ""*  ''<«=k.  '"gelher  w,Th 

,  '^Sible  at  meridian  as  thev  I     ''^'''  ^^^  ««  Perfectfv 

'Rowing  to  the  clearness  of  L  atmn  ?"  «»'c»mstance 
I  this  season  of  the  year  atmosphere,  especially  at 

January  4  Rv    k 

hip  had  d„„bi.d  .hVtotoTr:"'''''-  •"»«  the 
"e  bore  away  to  the  north,,,,  i      ^"P^'<  «0"sequ5mlv 
Jtae  southW  trade  w  .d  a  7  .*'"'  ^«»'*ard,  wi^J 
h*  to  advantage.    As  If  '"u  T'^  ^"  ""a   would 

H-  .ade  Wind,  i.  a~i  re^J^r^r^'      ' 


''     Iflnif 


til 


»•♦ 


:««»»»**.i«»nrt* 


162 


LIFE    ON.  THE    OCEAN. 


I 

i 
i 
i 

ft 
■ 

t 
i 


» 

m 


our  native  land,  because  we  were  steering  a  direct  course, 
and  had  no  more  capes  to  double.  There  was  yet,  how- 
ever, a  long  distance  to  run;  and  as  our  provisions  had 
become  exceedingly  bad, — especially  the  bread,  of  which 
there  was  now  only  a  small  quantity  left, — and  as  we 
were  out  of  fresh  stock  of  every  description,  it  was  ru- 
mored that  we  should  put  into  some  one  of  the  islands 
near  the  line,  for  a  supply.  We  now  began  to  suffer  for 
the  want  of  bread.  What  little  there  was  on  board  was 
so  much  eaten  by  the  worms  and  weevils,  that  a  small 
tap  on  a  biscuit  would  reduce  it  almost  to  dust.  The 
only  way,  therefore,  in  which  it  could  be  eaten,  was  to 
8e})arate  the  vermin  from  the  bread,  and  put  the  dust  into 
our  pits  of  tea  or  coffee. 

January  5.  —  The  weather  this  day  was  bright  and 
clear,  and  the  witid  blew  due  south-east,  and  studding^ 
sails  were  set  on  both  sides.  For  the  first  time,  I  ex- 
perienced what  I  had  often  heard  remarked  by  sailors, 
viz.,  rolling  down  St.  Helena  homeward  bound  ;  for  not- 
withstanding the  severe  privations  we  now  experienced 
for  the  want  of  wholesome  food,  yet,  nevertheless,  gene- 
ral good- will  and  harmony  prevailed  throughout  the  ship, 
for  the  reason  that  all  pangs  arising  from  deprivations 
and  difficulties  were  absorbed  by  the  pleasing  anticipa- 
tions of  shortly  realizing  "sweet  home." 

January  10.  —  No  change  or  interruption  of  winder 
weather  took  place  the  preceding  days.  The  damages 
were  now  all  repaired,  and  the  usual  routine  of  duty  was 
carried  on.  I  soon  began  to  perceive  that  our  bad  pro- 
visions were  not  so  well  relished,  neither  was  the  hard 
fare  borne  with  the  same  equanimity  of  temper,  in  the 
land  of  knives  and  forks  and  f.'lates,  as  in  the  forecastle 
among  the  crew.  The  officers  grew  peevish,  and  mani- 
fested it  in  a  variety  of  ways,  by  working  up,  &.c.  This 
was  particularly  the  case  with  the  third  officer.  Indeed, 
we  had  been  so  long  confined  to  the  narrow  compass  of 
a  ship,  and  this  passage  having  been  so  much  protracted 
beyond  all  our  calculations  —  added  to  the  imwhole- 
lomencss  of  our  provisions  —  was  not  only  the  cause 


of 

aoK 

wes 

cauf 

A 

awa^ 

to  re 

at  ni^ 

of  ac 

conjii 

the  hi 

a  di/fe 

of  the 

Jan 

the  san 

'•1  gett 

trades. 

Americi 

my  Cap 

by  a  ion 

occasion 
^ight  di 
of  Good 
south-eaj 
the  weat 
boinid  v( 
winds  to 
entrance 
^ith  almr 
The  d( 
on  deck, 
granted  th 
recreation 
^an  to  i 
visions  am 
«''er,  urera 
mently  thi 
'IS-     n«ri, 
fl"  was  for« 
'"^'■-^h  and 


t  Course, 
el,  how- 
ions  had 
)f  which 
id  as  we 
,  was  ru- 
e  islands 
suffer  for 
oaid  was 
a  small 
St.  The 
11,  was  to 
dust  into 

right  and 
studding- 
me,  I  ex- 
ty  sailors, 
;  for  not- 
perienced 
ess,  gene- 
t  the  ship, 
privations 
anticipa- 


^"•8    Otf  THB    OCEAN. 

of  some  ill-hnm      ..  ^^ 

""""g  .he  creT'E"!'"""}"'^  P^»*'ced  much  d,v,- 

cau«e  „  brought  ourZ^Jj!^'  "^'^toct'on^m^t^ 
As  we  had  gof  inin"!  "i""^  n^^ref  to  a  tenni^^!;- 

»7y  time  plefsa„;Cny  dlr"""^' '»  "^TZ, 
i'^ni.     He  now  could  rpaW     \i      "'^  ^^^^h  on  dccJr 

Januari/  11  —Th'    ^ 
the  same  as  the  former    f .    ^  commenced  and  conr ;.     j' 

A  mo...-      .     t^*^^"ng,  of  coursp  t«     '\""""g  down  thesn 
%ht  days  hadT-o':  X^d":,/."^"  "^  ^e-  a'dTh^l? 

^^'^^^tC^^Sf-^^^^^^^^^ 

tne  Weather  wa^  5, io«   **7'"8^  a  quarter  of  a  »^«v  ® 

"The  T-^l'""  ^-  ^^'"Tr^h-e?',  - '•  -™t  te 
Sranted  them,  the  c^w  tlnJ     "?   ■»«'»   'leek  ZZ 

-tf '  '"  "PP^ar  among  them  „,?  *sconient  which 
-^^^ons  and  short  all„w'a,^ee  rhT."""''  "^  ^^  P^ 
«»er,  were  iiiiai-oidable  on  ,h       ^^^   Pnvations,  how 

1 7     """"gthesetwoholnff   p'""  '""«  m'Tmur- 

was  forgo,,.,,,  „,  ,„erged  ;!'':'"=  "'"'  f  "^ylarking, 

I    ""1  and  jolii,y.  ^^^  ""o  a  general  feeling  of 


"^^'^Ktrnmrnmammmmi. 


104 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


f 
I 

f 
1 

I 

A 


r 
c 

r 

I 

ft 

f 

ft 


Eight  :bells  were  struck ;  and  the  starboard  watch  being 
called,  Jack  Sawyer  and  myself  went  up  to  our  station 
in  the  foretop,  where  we  quietly  seated  ourselves  on  the 
starboard  side.  After  the  usual  preliminaries  of  taking 
a  fresh  quid,  and  discharging  a  li.beral  portion  of  the 
juice,  arising  from  the  severity  of  a  high-pressure  grind- 
ing, he  resumed  his  narrative  as  follows :  — 

"  It  is  a  long  time  since  my  yarn  was  cut  off,  and  I 
hardly  know  whereabouts  to  knot  again  ;  but  I  believe 
it  was  somewhere  about  when  1  was  drafted  on  board 
the  frigate  M.,  for  the  East  India  station.    Well,  I  thought 
I  would  give  them  the  slip,  and  get  home  to  my  native 
land,  to  see  whether  my  poor  old  mother  was  alive  or 
not ;  but  then  there  was  a  messmate  of  mine,  and  we 
had  been  together  three  years  in  our  frigate.     He  was  a 
true-hearted  chap,  and  often  shared  his  last  shilling  with 
me ;  so,  d'ye  see,  we  talked  the  matter  over,  —  for  we  had 
no  secrets  between  us, — and  he  got  the  better  of  me,  for 
he  had  the  gift  of  the  gab.     '  Now,  Jack,'  says  he,  'just 
go  out  this  cruise,  and  mayhap  we'll  make  some  prize- 
money  ;  and  then,  with  a  long  score  of  wages  when  the 
cruise   is  up,  why,  then  you'll  have  plenty  of  shiners, 
and  may  go  home  and  make  your  old  mam  comfortable 
nil  the  days  of  her  life.'     This  last  argument  won  me 
over,  and  I  consented  to  go  with  my  messmate  Tom, 
s^nd  we  fixed  the  bargain  on  the  spot  with  a  glass  of 
grog.    Well,  Tom  and  1  had  a  cruise  for  three  days,  for, 
d'ye  see,  all  the  shiuers  were  not  yet  gone.     Says  Tom, 
*  What's  the  use  of  this  stuff  at  sea,  or  among  them  out- 
landish chaps  yonder  in  Bengal  ? '      'That's  true,  Tom,' 
says  i  ;  'so  the  quicker  we  get  clear  of  it  the  better.'     So 
at  it  we  went ;  and  in  three  ditys,  sure  enough,  we  had 
pockets  to  let,  and  after  that  gruni  looks  and  hard  words 
from  ihe  land-sharks  in  Rotten  Row.      Well,  we  were 
now  ready  to  go  on  board  the  frigate;  and  as  she  was  un- 
der sailing  orders,  she  was  picking  up  a  crew  wherevr 
they  could  be  found  ;  and  many  of  them  didn't  go  on 
board  with  a  good  will,  that's  sartain  ;  no,  no;  they  were 
dragged  off  by  the  press-gang,  just,  for  all  the  world,  like 


so 

To. 

at  tt 

sorrj 

ter-ii 

and 

got  11 

chani 

''A 
what 
plenty 
the  til 
good  s 
master, 
enough 
for,  vvii, 
hands  < 
among 
in  Ports 
quarter- 
thrown  , 
and  a/iig 
ber  of  rrj 
*>»>  three 
mate,  Tc 
also  shoii 
belJy  of  i 
'•  We  r 
C'alciitta, 
^or  ninete 
chaps   sli; 
^earh,  ma 
cers.    To 
^e  made  n 
vateer  shij; 
hidiaman. 
»ff  the  shir 
number  woi 
^^fy  when 
16* 


ch  being 
r  station 
s  on  the 
f  taking 
n  of  the 
re  grind- 

yff,  and  I 
[  believe 
)n  board 
[thought 
ly  native 

alive  or 
,  and  we 
[le  was  a 
ing  with 
»r  we  had 
>f  me,  for 

he,  'just 
ne  prize- 
ftrhen  the 
!"  shiners, 
mfoitable 

won  rae 
ate  Tom, 

glass  of 
days,  for, 
lys  Tom, 
hem  out- 
le,  Tom,' 
ter.'  So 
,  we  had 
ird  words 

we  were 
3  was  nn- 
wherevr 
I't  go  on 
hey  were 
^orid,  like 


''•»•«    ON    THK    O.CKAN. 


ii 


165 


at  the  crew    £  f,.l?   ^  ^'"'^arejand  a/V,     .%    ^^"'  ^^ 
ter-master  say  thlt'th  ^*^'^««'»ever.  I  heard  an  Jm  ^'"^  * 

Zr^  -^  ''•-  ^---nthr and's^i'od  d^^^''   ^ 
"And  ^owuiho 

™"..«h  rot :?;",:  .;•■  '"-/'aurTtnii-rr- 

for,  what  with  theHv!   *!      "^"'^'ahle  hole  in    h!  '   ""» 

hands  died  like  rolfer  h'^'  ^"""''"'i  >^otlel"Z' 
among  the  tint.         ^  sheen,  malfino-  o  i   ^^tfter,  rhe 

'0  pXt,T.Z  '""'  '="'"''ers  that  id  iT  ^"^'"S" 
,^-.-.e.„;r ;-'/;-  e„o,.,h,  the  ^rdT  '^  P--H 

thrown  overboard  .    i.     '  ^'^  ^  number  of  th  '^ 

.b«'  "f  my  mess  the t'  ,„„"?!  7'>^  "'''  '»^i' S  'l'.  .mm' 
^>  three  mouths;  a'd  hld^!    ,*«'  '%"  "P  '''  'h«  si^t 

ct "'r^'f*'  "  P^«"y%"  Id  stHb',;'""  8™'   '»0"..e 
^«'s.     To  be  sure,  wo  fp h   '    /.     .  "''*^»  among  the  nm 


-'-r.»-%™„r.*^7;::i->,' 


16* 


was  /jot 
'gate,  and 


If  13^ 


> « 


»'!;i!sij 


'*W«WW«B«,, 


106 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEA^. 


I 

I 

i 

I 

« 


^ 


ft 


was  glad  enough  when  we  got  under  sailing  orders  for 
England  ;  for,  someliow  or  other,  I  couldn't  get  it  out 
of  my  head  about  thnse  devouring  critters,  and  1  had  a 
mortal  disliking  to  be  eat  up  and  stowed  away  in  the 
store-room  of  a  shark  or  alligator.  And  1  tell  you,  when 
I  heard  the  boatswain  pi,e  to  unmoor  and  get  under 
way  for  England,  I  felt  just  as  glad  as  if  1  had  a  week's 
grog  ;  and  1  saw  the  phiz  of  many  a  chap  that  day 
brighten  up,  which,  for  nine  months  before,  looked,  for 
all  the  world,  like  sour  milk.  Well,  we  got  under 
way  with  a  fine  breeze,  and  it  seemed  to  me  as  if  the 
frigate  was  as  glad  to  get  out  of  these  horse  latitudes  as 
ourselves. 

"  We  made  a  pretty  quick  run  of  it,  and  got  into  Ports- 
mouth in  ninety  days ;  then  the  frigate  was  taken  into 
dock,  and  1  was  paid  olf^ —  wages,  prize-money  and  all, 
amounting  to  just  one  hundred  and  forty  pounds  ster- 
ling money!     Why,  I  felt  like  one  of  them  nabobs  out 
yonder  !  So  much  chink  !    A  pretty  sum  ! '  says  1  to  my- 
self.    '  Why,  ril  jiisl  sheer  clear  of  the  pirates,  streamers, 
and  Rotten  Row,  and  get  these  shiners  home  to  old 
mam,  if  she's  still  above  hatches.     Yes,'  thought  I,  'I'll 
cut  loose  from  the  sarvice,  and  my  messmate,  Tom  B.; 
for  1  very  well  knew,  if  'I'oni  once  threw  his  grappling- 
irons  <tnd  small   talk  around   me,  I   was  a  gone  chick, 
shiners  and  all,  for  another  cruise.    Well,  I  didn't  stop  to 
consider  ;  so  1  tof»k  a  boat  and  went  off  to  an  American 
ship  which  had  sprimg  a  leak  atid  put  in  here  to  repair. 
So,  as  [  was  saying,  I  goes  aboard  and  asked  liberty  to 
see  the  capta.fu     Down  I  went  into  the  cabin,  and  there 
he  was ;  so  i    old  hnn  my  whole  yarn ;  how  long  I  had 
been  in  the  L^iglish  sarvico.   'ud  how  1  had  a  mother  in 
Marblehead,  ti  she  was  still  alive,  and  how  I  wanted  to 
get  home  to  see  her,  as  I  had  some  chink  of  my  ariiiiigs 
to  make  her  comfortable  in  her  old  days.     '  There  it  is,' 
pays  I,  taking  out  my  bag  and  giving  it  to  the  ca|  tain. 
*  1  j«ist  want  you  to  keep  that  little  sum  for  me,  and  let 
me  go  in  your  ship,  that  I  may  once  more  see  my  native 
land.'     '  Well,  my  man,'  said  the  cajitain,  '  your  story 


seer 
am 
coiir 
prot( 
very 
will  J 
ofthi 
captai 
home, 
or  m)/ 
it  to  n 
be  rea( 
man,  g 
yon  aw 
you  an 
offer,  ar 
traj)s,  ar 
night,  ( 
straggler 
!">ard,  ai 
it  Was  w 
the  press 
got  out  c 
"I  had 
vas  the  J 
Mow  as 
inch  of  hi 
.ve  discha 
in  a  cargo 
'  once  more 
%been  a 
J    Hare,  tli 
for  the  prei 
pDaincler  at 
J    Jonuai'if 
jaiid  wearhei 
r  nionofon 
r'y   insu 
n^  this  tii 


rders  for 
t  it  out 
i  1  had  a 
y  ill  tlie 
)U,  when 
et  under 
a  week's 
that  day 
oked,  for 
)t  under 
as  if  the 
ttudes  as 

ito  Ports- 
ikeii  into 
r  and  all, 
mds  ster- 
ibobs  out 
;  1  to  my- 
itreamers, 
je  to  old 
[htl,  'I'll 
Tom  B.; 
;rappling- 
ne  chick, 
rt  stop  to 
American 
to  repair, 
liberty  to 
and  there 


seems  to  be  a  n    »  ' 

am  wiJliuif  to  cin    n  f  "^'^^t  one,  and  if  «n  •     . 

very  closelV  I       ''''^'^  they  will  Z    /       ^''''*'  »o 

o^t^Jsshin  Hi«,     '        "y'  '^  they  takp  rn^i/o  '''^''^^ 

-'"-,  J:s  ''s  r;  tr:')'?-'^^.- ".,  te  r 

•""ne,  iri,,,„Ve  after  ml    .."'^  ''"«■  a»d,  whe     11  *^    °'    ' 
!"•  my  siMer,  Nancir  s'^  "'''  "'""'er,  Eliiabe.h'  S       *'^* 


he  press-gang  before  v.%„  ^  7^'  ""^--hauled  tw^'e     ^ 
inch  of  him  an  f^*^    ""  ^  *'">'«  deel"  !!!„  "   r      '^""  « 

H-!^r:  w«^- ^      '""^'  ^^-  '- 

r"""ep.ese„r:i,h'^i"V"'."-  »-ra.ive  was  clos   . 
p-ea,ht,  in  .he  X  h^i'^t^--' ^aLnessof  «,„d 
h ''-■-.  dra.,„g.,--^-;s.^^^^^ 


•4    A« 


168 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


I 
I 

I 


r 
c 

I 

t 


tt'. 


for  the  first  time,  v/e  understood  in  the  forecastle  that 
Captain  W.  had  decided  to  put  into  the  Island  of  Fer- 
nando Noroiiha,  to  ascertain  whether  a  supply  of  hread, 
or  a  substitute  for  it,  could  be  obtained,  as  indication 
of  the  scni'vy  began  to  make  its  appearance  among  the 
crew,  owing,  no  doubt,  to  the  unwholesomeness  of  the 
provisions  —  want  of  bread  and  articles  of  an  anti-scor- 
butic character. 

January  29.  —  The  trade  winds  during  the  preceding 
days  became  light,  in  consequence  of  which  we  did  not 
make  the  island  until  this  morning,  at  9  A.  M.,  when  the 
exciting  cry  of  "  Land  ho ! "  was  heard  from  the  mast- 
head, to  the  unspeakable  satisfaction  of  all  on  board  ;  it 
beitig  the  first  land  seen  since  we  left  the  east  end  of 
Java.     The  usual  preparations  were  made  for  coming 
to  an  anchor; — such  as  bending  cables,  getting  anchors 
over  the  bows,  &.c.     The  anchorage  being  to  the  west- 
ward, we  ran  round  the  south  point,  luH'ed  up  to  the 
anchoring  ground,  and  came  to  with  the  small  bovver, 
in  fifteen  fathoms  water,  about  a  mile  distant  from  the 
shore.     We  lost  no  time  in  gettin;^  our  boats  out,  two 
of  which  were  sent  on  shore,  to  obtain   the  necessary 
information  in  reference  to  the  object  of  our  visit  to  this 
place.     It  was  soon  ascertained   fh:it  a  supply  of  bread 
could  not  be  obtained,  and  the  only  article  in  place  of 
it  was  the  cassava  root,  which,  when  dried  and  pulver- 
ized, and  made  up  as  dough,  and  baked,  answered  as  a, 
tolerable  substitute.     A  difliculty  now  presented  itself, 
which   was, 


bu< 

da) 

coil 

pric 

/ 

iigiii 

awa< 

Ti 

are  h 
scarct 

SGIItS 

approij 

of  the 
as  thai 
short  di 
ports  iti 

«  guris 
ciHirely 
mos^t  wr 
and  pihi 
^e  were] 
and  took 
At  suul 

the  day,f 

horizon. 

w'ould  dd 

bouiidij 


that  even   this  poor  ariicle  could  not  be 
obtained  in  any  considerable  quantity;  the  deficiency, 
however,  was  made  up  by  yams,  which  were  purciiased 
at  an  exorbitant  price,  as  well  as  some  fresh  stock,  such 
as  fowls,  pigs,  &c.     There  are  no  springs  of  fresh  water 
on  this  island;  but,  as  there  are  frequently  heavy  rains, 
the  people  catch  large  quantities  of  water  in  a  cistern,  or 
reservoir,  built  for  that  purpose,  which  affords  an  ample 
supply  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  island.     This  reservoir, 
from  which  we  filled  ten  large  casks,  stands  on  the  lopBeqn/jioctiaJ 
of  a  hill;  and  it  was  with  some  considerable  difficulty ■  tinie  wt.  jjj 
we  got  them  down  to  the  beach^  being  obliged  to  par-lposiied  the 


liig 

towards 

t/iOMgh   sr 

reasons;  fij 

P*-*''  amonj 

^^'«  oiubveS 

catej  previl 

%s  from  I 


W 


buckle  them  down  wi.i. 

d-ys,  duriug  TCh  Zl  "■"'*"■     ""«  ^wained  here  .» 

prices  were  ,«id.      ■""*  '^^  '"'"ch  the  mos.  exoriaaS 

«g''t  air  from  off  ^,e  laud"  J7  ",'  «  ^-  »».,  with  a 
a«;ay  ,o  ,,,«  westward       '"'  '"'^''  ""  ^1.  and  steered 

«"=  be,gh<;  and,  exceTon    L '' ™''''' «''d  of  a  f„,  d  jr- 
scarcely  a»y  la„j  suscep  ,bTe  >f  .T"™  1^'-  'h-^'o  fci 
«""«  (lie  apiearauce  .fa  ml*""""""""--  and  i.  |,r^ 
approached  /,om  ,he  eas  ward      'Ph    ™"'"  ^'''">  •     is 
hf  b.)r,  whatever;  but  •«lh         ,  '^^""^  '»  "o  shelter  or 
of 'he  isla:,d,  no  da  Irif.:'^""'"-*^''  '*  '"  'he  Wk," 
a»  <he,e  are  no  galef  /.w, ,S'  "''•'''['''"ded,  es,  eciaMy 
short  dnratiou.     Here  the  S  *'"'  ""=  "'I'-aHs  a,e  „f 
pots  .Is  convicts.     There  «Z    °'""?  SO'^'Ument  trans- 
hu'-cJ.ed  and  fifty  on  ,,«  i,  ?  i'  f  ""'  "•"«■  "bo...  two 
a  PuTisou  otab';,u,"rm'  :'';';r  ""der  restraint  by 
"".rely  exch.ded  ;   iu  ™,?^Z  '"'''""■'■     '"'on^les  we,e 
most  >yf' chedcotlditioirS  cr;;  *1  '■"'""'  ""^■''  "'a 
•"d  P-ller,«g  Whatever  thev  c.k,M  *;  '"'T'  ^'''''J'  >"^'e, 

'r:;\rd-r;?;r-sx-7ij;jxLr^^^^^^ 

honzou.     The  breeze  nTZ,ed         '""''    "*"'«a<h    thf 
"-"..Id  draw  to  advantage   "!fj  "'^'^  *""  "'as  set  that 
'»""ding  over  the  sea,  wT„;„2u""f'   """^  «">    were 
wards  home.     The  sZ,lv  of  n?    "•'  "  '"''""  <=">"-^ 
*<>"gh  small,    was    nevi-  h  i      P^^'^'ons,  water,  &c 
,  y^nn ;  first,  beca.  selnXtd'',  H'*"^""able,   for'  Two' 
,  f  among  the  crew ;  a,  d^' "f.Hl    ^"""'"  '"'"'  a"d  'em- 
0  outbreaking  of  s;,::vy,Thi^ /;'-«"-  "  P'— «d 
ly  f«v,ous|y  to  our  touching  „?.     "\  ^'"""^'V  ""i" 
%s  f.o.„   our  departure    we  1        '"  "*''""'•     '"  '"'o 
«|mu.>c.ial    hue,  ho.newll   .       '?  "'""'■  '='-o''sed   the 
"»'«  >ve  had  cr..  sedTt  *    1     ""'•  "  '"''''?  'h«  sixth 
K^-d  .he  tropics  of  0    .    r  a Td '[^"•"^  ^^'-'"  «^  ^'-'"8 


<:4 


.^ 


'#Mi 


170 


A- 


.  '  4. 


I! 

il 
I 
I 


r 
c 

t 
I 

9*' 


i^i 


4   ,^-- 


CHAPTER  XV. 


SATURDAY   NlflHT    AT    SEA COiVCLIJSION    OF    JACK    SAWYEr's 

NARRATIVE,    &C. 

,,   -  .  ,     ,  '  •;-      .  •  .         .  • 

February  4.  —  The  three  preceding  days  the  wind 
became  light,  and  hauled  gradually  round  to  the  east- 
ward. Having  crossed  the  equinoctial  line  far  to  the 
westward,  say  34°  30',  we  experienced  no  calms,  and, 
much  to  our  regret,  did  not  tall  in  with  any  outward- 
bound  vessels;  for  although  the  supply  of  cassava  root 
obtained  at  Fernando  Noronha  answered,  in  some  sort, 
in  the  place  of  bread,  yet  iu  a  few  days  it  became  loath- 
some, and  was  entirely  rejected  by  many  of  the  crew, 
but  esjiecially  by  the  officers. 

Februanj  7.  —  We  were  this  day  in  the  latitude  of 
8'^  north,  with  a  fine  north-east  trade  wind,  running  at 
the  rate  of  eight  miles  per  hour,  with  studding-sails  set 
alow  and  aloft.    It  was  Saturday,  a  day  above  all  others 
to  the  close  of  which  sailors  look  forward  with  great 
pleasure  and  delight;  for  on  this  day  the  work  generally 
closes  at  a  much  earlier  hour  than  usual ;  and  while 
the  extra  glass,  technically  called  "  Saturday  night,"  is 
being  drunk,  all  the  fond  remembrances  of  home  are 
called  up,  and  long  yarns  are  spun  and  lengthened  out, 
while  the  much-cherished   toast  of  ''sweethearts  and 
wives  "  passes  round  ;  and  on  these  occasions,  especially, 
all  the  hardships  and  privations  of  a  sea-life  are  forgotten. 
We  had  now  been  out  upwards  of  two  years,  and  every 
hour  brought  us  nearer  to  the  land  of  our  birth.     Of 
course  all  those  fond  recollections  of  home  became  the 
subject  of  our  thoughts  and  conversation.     Every  spear 
of  grass  and  bed  of  weeds,  which  was  now  seen  in  large 


qilant 

es|)eci 

an   eij 

home, 

Boston 

delighl 

ended, 

tin  |K»t! 

castle,  I 

alio  wan 

before  i 

louif  yai 

Sawyer 

since  on 

casion,  \ 

a  tight  U 

liis  life,  I 

"  yiy  tl 
think  of 
tent  to  ^\ 
fieard  it  s 
i»  five  mi 
time  after 
"there  \vi 
^vas  paid  ( 
spend  his 
a»Jd  loved 
^^'^o  or  thn 
Jong  before 
''ore  away 
streamers  f 
with  a  cleai 
come  Up  ^, 

»'P.  andafti 
I  She  played 
Sam  boardh 
tor  quarters, 
Jort,  he  got 
one  Was  no 


f 


■'"?* 


sawyer's 


the  wind 
the  east- 
ir  to  the 
Ims,  and, 
outwaid- 
sava  root 
)me  sort, 
lie  loath- 
he  crew, 

titude  of 
inning  at 
-sails  set 
all  others 
ith  great 
generally 
nd  while 
light,"  is 
home  are 
ined  out, 
earts  and 
specially, 
forgotten, 
uid  every 
irth.  Of 
came  the 
■ery  spear  I 
n  in  large 


t 


*-"*    ON    THE    OCEAN. 

quantities  floatin?  hv  no 

es/>ecially,  that  ,his  L  !'  Z?  '''''"»  •"dications,  to  me 

a"   end.     IndGP,!     r     ^  voyage  would  shortiv  n 

delight  with  ns.     tL  i     .    ^^^^^day  night  of  t^onl 

e.»<ia.i.  a.  ,he  comltZ^^t  ofl^  1"'^''  "''"^    l^r' 
'111  |H.ts  were  passed  »ft       ?  "'  "■«  '<»»'    '  a-watahlh 

allowance      Til  .  "®  *^"^tomarv  i..,        . 

S-'^'yer  had  mostly  ab,tal.J  •*;  '^'"''"''     Althcgh  Jack 

mioii,  he  coald  „„i  if°'i,'f  '  '*"''Je<='.  yet,  on  this  oc 
a."Sht  little  cutterrto  Whom  r  ''"''«"8  'he  hell  h  of" 

"By'th:r;t^  -^-l':^'"''' '' «-«'  «p-5 

;^".^of1t  Smr?'r«,'' hyo  me.  ...ha.  do  you 
«"  to  give  advice  on  hose  ,^v  ■""' '  "'"^  "«•  00™^ 
«»/d  '.  said,  that  a  «,„;%'  fj^'' ""'  "•"»' '  '">^  oC 
«>  five  mu.,„es,  and  repen?  of  i,  2  ''■"  *='  "'^  ">is  kind 
me  afterwards."     " Tha.-sl,'' ,?""''S  his  whole  life, 
"'here  ,vas  a  messmate  of  mn'«  ^""^  •'*«'f'  -wionsy. 
"as  paid  off  from  the  Svm^  Z?^'"  •'«"''"'s;  when  he 
spend  his  liberty.     NW^!    ''''«"«'  he  goes  ash"  "  1,^ 
,■"■"  loved  a  glai  of  gr^g   r  ZT  \8''<«'-'°<'W^S    ha 

£  b  ^""1; "«  sot  a  ';';';"i"'  "'«*  '»"«•'  aboard 
mig  before  he  fell  in  with  .^     .  *  "™'s«-    It  was  not 

^  "^vay  in  chas^"  low  "she"!  '"""  '■''S'"''.  ^'ht^'  - 

";P.  -d  after  that  he  tXuLT'h  'T   '-'hS^'h 

fe  played  off  a  little  b^t         ''^'"  h^d  over  hand 

.^,_h.««ling  by  a  Ck  mUnTerr""^  P"^^'«^^« 

«^>'--abi.ut^Ki1roXr?o;l^^ 


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would  not  only  have  the  last  word,  but  the  last  drop  in 
the  bottle ;  so  it  was  scinall  after  squall  with  them  until 
poor  Sam  sheered  otf  aboard  of  a  frigate,  bound  on  the 
East  India  station,  and  left  her  to  fight  her  own  battles/' 

His  yarn  being  over.  Jack  poured  out  his  allowance 
into  a  tumbler  made  of  a  bullock's  horn,  and  after  toast- 
ing  "  sweethearts  and  wives,"  and  expressing  a  hearty 
wish  that  the  breeze  might  last  until  we  got  into  Boston 
Bay,  he  tossed  off  his  glass  with  a  degree  of  satisfaction 
which  few  but  sailors  exhibit.  On  the  larboard  side  of 
the  forecastle  was  a  group  of  youthful  sailors  who  had 
just  finished  a  long  yarn,  at  the  conclusion  of  which 
one  of  them  exclaimed,  "In  twenty  days  I  shall  be  in 
my  father's  house  in  Portsmouth." 

"  Avast  there ! "  said  an  old  calculating  Scotch  sailor, 
who  had  nearly  worn  the  hair  off  the  top  of  his  head 
with  the  lid  of  his  chest,  by  frequently  overhauling  his 
clothes  and  adventure :  "  ye'll  have  a  norwester  or  twa 
to  grin  at  afore  ye  get  safely  moored  in  Boston^  mon.'' 

"Stop  that  prophesying,  old  croaker,  and  let's  take 
things  as  they  come ;  that's  my  fashion ;  "  bawled  ont 
the  boat.4 wain's  mate:  "so  come,"  continued  he  to  Tom- 
Fairbanks,  "  screw  up  that  small  opening  of  yours," 
(meaning  his  month,  which,  by  the  way,  was  the 
largest  of  any  on  board,)  "and  give  us  a  ditty." 

After  the  usual  preliminaries  of  hemming,  d&c,  Tonk 
commenced  with  the  famous  pirate  song,  —  "  My  name 
is  Captain  Kidd,"  &,c.  It  is  probably  known  to  the 
reader  that  this  song  has  about  twenty  verses,  and  it 
was  roared  out  by  the  stentorian  lungs  of  Tom,  to  the 
^o  small  satisfaction  of  mffny  in  the  forecastle.  He  had 
scarcely  fitiished  the  last  verse  when  this  Saturday  night's 
glee  was  broken  up  by  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  boatswain 
summoning  the  larboard  watch  on  deck. 

February  12.  — No  change  of  wind  or  weather  occurred 
since  the  last  date ;  and,  with  the  strong  north-ee^tt  trad* 
wind,  we  were  fast  approximating  to  the  westward,  aol  | 
being  now  in  the  parallel  of  Barbadoes,  we  kept  a  bright 
look-out  for  outward-bound  West  Indiamen^  sopposiiif 


ve  should  cwss  their  rr««i,    ,...  ^^ 

'»«''<l,  and  then  rim  J       *''*  "'«od  «o  whichVh    ^^"^ 
make  it    it'^"  ™n  do^n  the  longi.uJe   ,?„S*L"» 

6«  in  with  anyoffL  °'"  «°^  <■««»'>":  hoCJ  "*' 
^   A  V-r  «^'--  'd;?"  i""  «-^»  Of 

near  .^  "*»  «>o".  howewr .     ^    shortened  saU 

us:     Phol  '  ®"®  hauled  her  wmi     i      *'  ^'^e  foie, 

<«'"»«,  chee^'''b'^°^^'«.t«e  ""tions,  such  t  °  ^t^" 
"seded.     Boiirf.„r?'     "•  *"'•'  «'  of  which  J.  *"""««. 

^  open  his  hatches      Thf '  ""''  '*"•  I"'  "ould^^ 
W^-.  who  immediaX  sen.  ,h    '*P»''L«'as  made  to  CaT 
to  tender  tho  ».        '      "'  '"* second  officBi-  n,;.i.      ,V^ 
his  m»,!  .  J    """^y  'o  the  captain  i»Th        '"■  """e™ 
n«  mate  and  crew,  and  if  he  «iil  «<•     J"®  Presence  of 
he  hashes,  take  wbrarticies  ' !  ,  f'"^,'''  *"  <"««*  open 

executed,  during  which  tL.lk       "'^'^  ''«'•  Promwh^ 

a,t;  "^'--"-s'tTeV^d  ''rt'r'"""^"^" 

l.»j        '?•'  •""■  '"Pl'lies,  boats  *„*^'  ""*  outrage. 
H  •»  a  few  minu,'^  she  ,^ '  *  ■•  **~  ""  hoistedfa 

kZL""^'^'  «  press  ofcar.^:^""  ""f  """"t^S 
Kon^e,.d.andlT,;-2---^^^^^ 


i  i>t4  f  (I 


174 


Lire   ON  THE    OCBAIV. 


f 

I 


wn 


to  form  curved  or  irregular  lines,  to  brejiic  the  clear  and 
-well-defined  horizon  iVom  beneath  which  this  glorious 
orb  ascended  majestically,  to  perform  his  dinrual  round,- 
describing  most  minutely  the  limbs  as  he  rapidly  ad- 
vanced into  the  azure  vault  above;  this  inugnificent 
sight,  which  had  afforded  me  so  much  delight  in  its  first 
exhibition,  while  crossing  the  north-east  trade  winds, 
outward  bound,  had  now  lost  much  of  its  interest,  from 
the  frequency  in  which  the  same  scene  had  been  viewed 
during  this  long  voyage.  Indeed,  frtim  the  reflections 
which  constantly  occupied  my  mind  at  this  time,  I 
was  brought  to  the  conclusion  that  the  grandeur  and 
sublimity  of  a  sun-rising  scene  on  the  land  was  superior 
to  that  on  the  ocean,  because  of  the  accompanying  beau- 
ties, such  as  landscape,  singing  of  birds,  ^c.  While  I 
~stond.gazing  on  this  scene,  "  How  perfectly  symbj>lical," 
thoi^^ht  I>  **  is  the  diurnal  round  of  this  planet  to  that  of 
man's  life!  how  rapidly  does  it  ascend  in  the  morning, 
nor  slacken  its  pace  until  near  the  meridian  ;  then  slowly 
descending  until  it  reaches  its  midway  distance  to  the 
western  horizon,  when  its  velocity  is  quickened,  and 
with  almost  the  rapidity  of  thought  it  vanishes  from 
the  keenest  vision !  '* 

Here,  then,  are  more  than  two  years  of  my  life  passed 
away  on  the  ocean,  and  to  my  imagination  it  seems  but 
as  a  day;  and  yet  it  is  gone,  and  I  am  now  in  my 
twentieth  year,  with  all  the  b.^nyiwicy  of  youth,  in  the 
morning  of  life.  What  my  me.  n,  dwtline,  or  exit,  may 
be,  is  yet  in  futurity ;  at  ai'  e\  -i.is,  my  reflections  on  the 
past  two  years  were  not  altogether  of  an  unpleasant  char* 
acter.  1  had  advanced  in  the  knowledge  of  seamanship 
and  navigation  as  much  as  could  be  expected  in  one 
voyage.  I  had  also  cultivated  the  good-will  of  the  of- < 
ficers  and  crew,  and  believe  I  had  been  of  some  se^ 
vice  to  one  true-hearted,  illiterate  sailor.  1  had  also  the 
satisfaction  to  know  that  those  habits  which  are  some* 
times  imbibed  in  the  forecastle  had  not  been  contracteil 
by  me,  although  I  confess  I  was  not  proof  against  those! 


.;j»e^ 


jii>M    «'«.i«f:iv.! -■    *-jiit^\-jmav»ntiif    »Jtit^,  Xuuivifi 


LITE   ON  THB   OCCAN. 


175 


jar  and 
rlorious 
round,- 
d\y  ad- 
rnificent 
1  its  first 
J  winds, 
est,  from 
n  viewed 
eftections 
s  lime,  1 
ideur  and 
.8  superior 
f  iug  beau- 
While  1 
'inbi»lical," 
I  to  tViat  of 
^e  morning, 
-hen  slowly 
nice  to  the 
[kened,  and 
iiishes  from 


influences  more  than  young  men  generally  are.  With 
these  reflections,  therefore,  I  considered  my  future  pros- 
pects to  be  somewhat  flattering.  « 

In  running  up  our  latitude  to  the  northward,  indica- 
tions of  changes  in  the  atmosphere  began  to  be  manifest; 
and  as  it  was  highly  probable  we  should  soon  have  to 
change  our  stations  from  the  tops  to  the  deck,  Jack 
Sawyer,  being  aware  of  this,  said  he  would  spin  out  the 
remainder  of  his  yarn  to-night,  as  it  was  our  first  watch 
on  deck.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the  last  dog-watch  had 
ended,  and  the  watch  was  relieved,  we  went  up  to  our 
station  in  the  foretop,  when  Jack  concluded  his  uarra* 
tive  as  follows  :  — 

"  Yon  may  be  sure  I  did  not  stay  long  in  Boston ;  so, 
after  inquiring  about  for  my  uncle,  I  found  out  that  he 
and  his  wife  had  slipped  their  moorings,  and  then  I 
could  hear  nothing  of  their  two  children ;  so,  as  there 
was  nothing  further  for  me  to  do,  avray  1  starts  for 
Mai'blehead,  to  look  out  for  poor  old  mother  and  si.ster. 
Well,  1  soon  got  down  thert',  and  was  afraid  to  ask 
about  them,  for,  somehow  or  ether,  I  had  a  kind  of  fore- 
boding thtit  old  mam  was  under  hatches :  and  sure 
enrnigh  the  very  first  question  1  asked  was  of  an  old 
nian  —  but  I  didn't  tell  him  who  I  was.  *  Well,'  says  I, 
'daddy,  do  yon  know  one  Mrs.  Sawyer,  living  about 
these  parts  ? '  '  Know  her  ?'  said  he ;  '  that  I  did ;  but  she 
died  about  six  years  ago,  and  her  daughter  Betsj^didn't 
live  long  afterwards;  but  Nancy  Sawyer  married,  two 
years  ago,  to  a  clever  farmer,  and  now  lives  in  Worces- 
ter.' Then  clapping  a  pair  of  peepers  over  his  nose,  and 
taking  a  long  squint  at  my  phiz,  he  said, '  I  could  almost 
swenr  you  are  Mrs.  Sawyer's  son  Jack,  but  that  we  heard 
he  was  kill  id  aboard  of  a  British  man-of-war,  fighting 
the  Spanijrds.'  '  Give  me  your  hand,  old  gentleman  ;  — 
no,  lie  was  not  killed,  for  here  he  stands  before  yon,  that 
self-same  Jack  Sawyer,  what's  left  of  him.'  '  And  a  good 
deal  more  is  added  to  you  since  I  saw  you  last,'  con- 
tinued the  old  man." 

During  the  latter  part  of  this  narration,  I  perceived 


r  it 


176 


LirS   ON  THE    OCBAir. 


i 


III!.;  , 

|i  %'; 

3- 


f 

c 

at 


m 


Vi 


the  voice,  of  poor  Jack  to  falter ;  for  whenever  he  spoke 
of  his  mother,  the  feelings  of  his  nature  quite  over^ 
powered  him. 

"  Well,  I  went  home  with  the  old  man,  spun  him  my 
yam,  and  he,  in  return,  gave  me  an  account  of  every  thing 
that  had  taken  place  since  I  had  been  away.  So  I  slept 
there  that  night,  and  the  next  morning  I  started  for 
Worcester.  You  may  be  sure  I  was  not  long  in  getting 
there.  I  soon  found  out  Nancy,  but  she  didn't  know 
me  when  I  met  her,  and  I  didn't  much  recollect  her ; 
but  wlien  1  told  her  I  was  her  own  brother  Jack,  she 
jumped,  cried,  and  laughed,  all  in  one  breath,  and  then 
threw  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and  there  we  was  about 
half  a  glass,  blubbering  like  two  young  babies.  So, 
after  we  got  cooled  off,  we  sat  down,  and  each  of  us  told 
all  that  had  taken  place  during  our  long  separation. 
*Now,  Nancy,'  says  I,  *I  have  stowed  away  a  few 
shiners ;  and  as  poor  old  mother  is  gone,  and  I've  got  no 
other  relation  but  yourself,  we'll  jtist  divide  them  be- 
tween us.'  So  I  hauled  out  my  bag,  which  had  just 
eighty  golden  guineas  in  it;  I  emptied  them  all  on  the 
table,  and  with  my  hand  1  scraped  off  her  part,  and 
shoved  them  towards  her.  ^  There,'  says  I, '  take  them, 
and  much  good  may  they  do  you.'  'Bless  me,'  said 
she,  'Jack,  yuu  have  given  me  most  all  of  them.'  '  Never 
mind  that,'  said  1 ;  '  I've  got  enough  here  to  pay  my 
shot  on  to  Boston,  and  have  a  cruise  besides ;  and  when 
this  is  gone,  why  then,  do  ye  see,  I'll  go  to  sea  for 
more.'  Well,  I  staid  with  Nancy  about  a  week ;  her 
husband  was  a  clever  sort  of  a  greenhorn,  for  he  axed 
me  one  day,  while  we  was  eating  dinner,  if  sailors  didn't 
eat  with  plates,  cups,  saucers,  knives  and  forks.  I 
soon  got  tired,  and  now  says  1,  'Nancy,  I'm  off.'  So 
the  next  day  my  dunnage  was  all  packed  up,  and  I  bid 
Nancy  and  her  husband  good -by,  and  away  I  goes  to 
Boston,  Well,  1  had  a  bit  of  a  cruise  there,  and  then  I 
shipped  in  the  States'  sarvice  for  a  three  years'  cruise: 
since  that  time  I  have  sailed  in  the  merchant  sarvice  till 
1  fell  in  with  this  ship ;  and  now  you  know  the  rest) 
messmate." 


'-'fE    OX    THE    OCEAN.  , -,_ 

^  Pebrunry  24  ^  Hn.;         u 

-;»:'^.  |.ei;.gi„  .he  i:r,i  rdrX!,'"--  P^^'-^' o-- vacate 

ha.1  ^co„.e  cooler,  rem  .d   "  ^"K'"" "''"^ ''"»•"« 
«"'g  orir  Oape-Horu  dnii..,„    ■        .  ""^  ''wefsity  of  „». 
a"acks  of  .lie  norlh-eZ?- ."C'''^'"  -  'o  «««' C 

A  sador  is  literally  "  Xelf   n      ".  ^^■ 
f«ve  seen  i„  ,he  forect  ,e   .t"' hi"'.-"  *""' y""  ""Sht 
them  in  o|»ra,io„  •  sn,.h  .!'      ,      ^  ""*'•  a  variety  of 
'"d  boots,  'some  of  Vh^t  haS't'"*  ?'"'  "'^"'''"g  »ho^ 

««"  somh.«es.ers,)  all  if  wWcl/?'J  "'"J'  '"'''nicall^ 
should  ha™  oooasion  for  I/l.  ■'  ""'  l'f«siimed,  wi 
n«l  disappointed ;  for  1^  ^'1"^  «xpee.a.ion  we  vj^ 
muda,  'he  weather  bUL'!'^^'"^  "'«  P^"^""'  of  &" 
"•'-^^  glad  to  p„,  on  ex,"  cl  tb  »'  "1  "'"''•  ""d  vv^ 
much  affected  by  this  cl  L„»  -•  *•  ^  •>«  <"•««'  we« 
however,  «ob.i,j;,  rfi,    S  .l:^'*"'^^-  '"«  re^™ 

G"lf  S.rea,j;,  andL^^^Zr^ '"  '"e  nor,h,.ard  of  .he 

Sream.     This  day  the  wi,A  f '*<"a"y  '"  crossing  the 
»»■•     Spoke  several  vosZl,?'  '"  ••■«  ««'wa,-d,  wi  h 

e  wind  hauled  totheT^'Lwl"'"'! ''?""'*•  ^t  sunsei 
•loMsshore:  and  althorh  1"^;  *"'"''  «'"'«  "s  a  slant 
nevertheless,  she  was  d  "fe,,  l,^h  "^^od'-gly  hard 
«  heiug  necessary  to  im nml  h  f  ^  °i  P'*"-'  "<■  <=a"vass 
»a™n  of  the  year,  it  wJs"nl , ' ,  7'5  '•«'=a"se,  a.  ,hi,' 
,  wes'or.  At  8  P  M  .hi  j  •  "*  ''''•"wed  by  a  north- 
'  '"d  •"Malla.it   y^i":;;;"l''rr^''  -  »  gJe:  r«;i 

»>»s.ho,,sed,weci't-;;:^dr,o  *'!;-  ".'"^ ""'  '■••v"'- 

I  WB-lopsail,  mainsail,  iibamll  it   '"".''"'  ""'«''  "'«  mi>!- 
l^,  '•"'''*"<'^l'a"''0'- A.  midnight  it  blc»r 


ii. 


178 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


l!i 


I    !" 


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ft. 

I" 


■ril 


a  severe  gale,  attended  with  rain,  thunder,  and  h'ghtning, 
from  the  north-west ;  clewed  up  the  fore-to|)sail,  and 
furled  it,  the  ship  being  now  under  close-reefed  main- 
topsails  and  staysails.  At  1  A.  M.,  the  wind  lulled,  and 
then  the  hoarse  but  distinct  voice  of  my  old  friend,  the 
second  officer,  shouted,  "  Clew  up  the  main-topsail  and 
furl  it!"  No  time  was  lost  in  executing  this  order.  We 
sprang  aloft  on  the  yard  and  gathered  up  the  sail,  and 
had  scarcely  reached  the  deck  when  the  terrific  north- 
wester struck  her.  We  wore  prepared  for  this  attack  by 
having  previously  put  the  ship's  head  on  the  starboard 
tack  at  midnight.  So  violent  was  the  gust  that,  for  a 
few  minutes,  she  lay  gunwale  under,  nearly  motionless. 
In  an  hour  the  fury  of  the  gale  had  subsided,  and  settled 
iuto  a  steady,  but  hard  north-wester. 

At  4  A.  M.,  set  close-reefed  fore  and  main-topsails  and 
foresail ;  with  this  short  sail,  however,  we  could  do  little 
more  than  hold  our  position  —  the  gale  continuing  to  blow 
with  violence  three  days ;  at  the  expiration  of  which,  on 
the  morning  of  March  2d,  the  wind  veered  to  the  west- 
ward, which  gave  us  a  fine  slant,  having  made  out 
westing  previous  to  the  commencement  of  the  gale. 
During  the  whole  of  the  former  part  of  this  voyai^e,  I 
never  knew  the  ship  to  groan  so  heavily  as  under  the 
severe  press  of  canvass  which  was  now  carried  on  her. 

March  4.  —  From  the  meridian  observation  this  day, 
and  the  position  in  which  the  ship  was  judged  to  be  by 
the  last  lunar  observation,  Block  island  bore  north-west, 
twenty  miles  distant ;  no  land  was  in  sight,  however, 
from  the  mast-head.  We  continued  our  course  north- 
wardly, edging  a  little  to  the  westward,  and  at  4  P.  M. 
got  soundings.  As  we  continued  our  course  along,  we 
gradually  changed  the  character  of  the  soundings,  from 
mud  to  sand,  which  evidently  indicated  that  we  were 
approaching  Nantucket  south  shoals. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  soundings  having  now 
changed  from  sanJ  to  shells,  as  indicated  by  the  lead,  it 
showed  that  we  were  approaching  George's.  At  8  A.  M 
kept  the  ship  to  the  northward,  and  ran  along  with  aj 


h'g 

hai 

bre 

jucl 

nori 

at  c 

ii)g 

fSasi 

and 

here 

vesse 

It  wj 

iong  J 

fleet  j 

with 

now  e 

for  en 

the  las 

(ore  an 

Ann,  a 

deed,  t 

produce 

nowap 

about  I 

*  pilot  ( 
sparkled 

astonish 
having  a 
happiues 

["eaching 
,  Thes 
although 
"Ppeared 
Were  nov 
pyal  was 
i"  a  shon 

N  weico 


s 


[  lightning, 
opsaii,  and 
efed  main- 
lulled,  and 
friend,  the 
•topsail  and 
order.    We 
e  sail,  and 
rific  north- 
is  attack  by 
e  starboard 
that,  for  a 
motionless, 
and  settled 

topsails  and 
Lild  do  little 
ling  to  blow 
f  which,  on 

0  the  west- 

1  made  out 
»f  the  gale. 
is  voyaj^e,  I 
s  under  the 
ed  on  her. 
Dn  this  day, 
ed  to  be  by 
I  north-west, 
It,  however, 
)urse  north- 
j  at  4  P.  M. 
i  along,  we 
idings,  from 
at  we  were 


^"«    ON  THE    OCEAN.  ^^^ 

i.,«      ^    o'"»  saw   the    low  «nnW  KM  ^\.   "^  *"®  'noHi  nff 

"'§  on  the  bpirn  «    ,  .    «    """"'^'s  of  Can*.  r««^        °' 
Ma»ach..se„^'"6,   't -rJ:-  us  '^y  •hX^^cTl';:? 
and  as  we  rao  alon<;  ,hT^  '""*"  "^^s"'"  were  in  Zh, 
he'e  ...d  there  migh?  be  f  '"'"'^''''y  ""''t'plied     *^d' 
J-e^ls,  some  s.andiu^  on  aT  ;"'"*"  ''^^rip^foLs  o'? 
I«  "'as  a  scene  of  mSch  ,1^"?  """  ""'«"  before  ii 
long  a  passage ;  and  wth   h!        '°  ■'"'  ''«"""?  h^  ~ 

w?h  r."  ""^  *''-CaW  of  gLh '''''•''  "^  ""o  English 
»"ih  bnt  one  vessel  fnr\.      >     "°P*'  "'e  had  fallen  in 

»ow  excitemen.  oTUL"!^']''  '*''  «o,nhs.     a  f^^ 

for  entering   Boston    tZt^"^  Pf-lparaiions  were  mT 

^-elast  time.weholyXed.he'l''^'''''''*  ""I*'    "v 

Ann,  a,^  ,he  rocks  of  Coh^,  IttJ"^''  land  of  Cap? 
"eed,  the  scenes  which  ™  '  '*  "ow  in  sight  •  i^ 
P««iuced  additional  in,:trrd  ■""  "P'^'ng  arou.  d  '^' 
•r  approaching  our  homel  "  A*  9  ?"ij'"'  '"' ''«  '-e" 

P'hough  theT^le'*"'?  r  ?»  «  "»«  --We  of  five  t„„t. 


*»S| 


'W 


;$» 


ir 


.1 


180 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


c 
c 

fi 
ft. 
I" 

«! 

»«• 
mtf 

■Ul 

t 

c. 

i:: 


■I 
It  v 


fortunate  ship  with  her  rich  cargo ;  and  a  }he  news  of 
our  corning  would  soon  be  known,  there  would  be  no 
small  stir  among  the  land-sharks,  and  the  keepers  of 
sailor  boarding-houses ;  doubtless,  they  calculated  to 
gull  poor  Jack  out  of  the  greater  part  of  his  two  and  a 
half  years'  earnings.  Already  the  ship  was  literally  sur- 
rounded with  boats,  filled  with  these  gentry,  who,  with 
soft  words  and  pleasant  looks,  were  now  handing  over 
to  the  sailors  bottles  of  rum,  which  they  had  managed 
to  keep  out  of  sight  of  the  officers ;  but  it  would  not  do 
among  this  ship's  compimy,  for  they  were  in  general 
different  men  now  to  what  they  were  when  they  lefl 
Boston ;  and  I  was  not  a  little  pleased  to  see  that  Jack 
Sawyer  withstood  all  the  wheedling  pretensions  of  these 
hypocritical  fellows.  Orders  were  now  given  to  clear 
the  ship  of  every  man  who  did  not  belong  t6  her,  and 
cast  off  all  the  boats. 

In  one  hour  and  a  half,  with  the  same  breeze,  we 
should  either  be  to  an  anchor  in  the  harbor,  or  made  fast 
alongside  of  India  Wharf.     The  ginis  were  sponged  and 
loaded,  in  readiness  for  a  salute,  and  the  hands  were 
turned  up  to  strip  the    yards  and  mast-heads  of  their 
bandages.     We  sprang  aloft,  and  very  soon  you  might 
have  heard  those  from  the  mast-head  singing  out,  *'■  Stand 
from   under ! "    Down    went  mats,  leathers,  parcelling, 
battens,  tail  and  jewel-blocks,  and  in  a  few  minutes  she 
presented  as  neat  a  set  of  mast-heads  and  spars  pa  ever 
graced  a  ship  coming  into  port  after  a  voyagtf  of  two 
years  and  a  half.     The  deoks  being  now  perfectly  clear 
and  clean,  short  ranges  of  both  cables  were  overhauled, 
and  every  preparation  was  made  for  <:oraing  to.     The 
ship  was  now  skimming  along  graceAilly  with  studding- 
sails  set,  passing  the  islands,  which  form  a  very  narrow 
channel ;  but  it  was  a  matter  of  no  moment  to  us,  as 
we  had   a  fair  wind.     At    length  the  last   island  was 
passed,   and    the   castle   and    hospital    were   distinctly 
seen.      The  royals  and  siudding'sails  were  now  taken 
in  ;  and,  with  colors  flying  fore  and  aft,  she  ran  up  the 
huilior  until  nearly  abreast  of  India  Wharf,  when  evcryl 


sail 

(he 

hun 

sails 

was 

It 

peop 

their 

forebi 

aiixio 

sailon 

mantu 

they  I, 

every ; 

to  becc 

two  y< 

the  goc 

of  this 

scarcely 

iumy  a 

was  ma 

sister,  a; 

her  dep 

account 

offhe   * 

loatnes. 

I"»e  ship 

m  myse 

po-ashore 

jc'othes,  s< 

N^^enture 
pore  set 
Fears  and 


WFI!   Olf  TBS    OC.AW.  -^, 

wH  wta  clewed  im  «♦ 

a-?'"' -^^^  we,«  crowded  ,vi,h 

forebodmg  that  they  were^„''  "^'^'^  "^'Poke  a  sroraf 

ST''r"""8«"«^»e,vra°„'dth™'^"  "'*""  *«^ 
""ITS'  laudlofds,  who,  in  th,  ,'„    .    "',*"=*«'«  not  a  few 

manner  possible,  addre,«V  *     "  •"'"«  ""d  agreeabll 

•»'l"^...ed  with'  ,he,nf  their 'r?."'  '^  '"'^  "K,^ 

"■"y  lecoguijed  them  M. 1.5       i'^'""^'  swearinir  that 

to  become  so  again.     I  .1 '  !•'  P°™'«''  «<»  '«d>ice  thei 
»^»  young  mel  ^bo  Z"  ^T^"^  "'  •"«  c.owd 
*egood  old  relative  mZil^^  •''°"*""'  a"d  sons  to 
of  ihis  work.     I,  was  T  hll    ^  '"  "'«  Preceding  oa^t 

■"  "y  appearance.    They  i„fo"''"1  ""^  "T  8™"'  ""e^S 
was  manifested  by  m7 Me  ,T^  T '*'''' ^reu  n,,xi^y 
Bier,  as  they  had  heard  h^' ""^  especially  by  ml 
per  departn^  from  R^ton     T^"  '^L™""'  ^h'psi.^ 
hcount  of  the  actioron  Ih.       '^  '"*'  '^«'''e<i  S 
K 'he  killed  and  wou^Sed    ..u'^'lt """  •"«  -"mber 
Mn.es.     The  anchor  was  n^w  l  "*  '""  '«»■•»   "leir 
*«»hip  hanled  into  h^^WhZr     7  '°  "'«  ^ows,  and 
|8»1  myself  in  readinerbv  h»„      ""?  "'"<*«  <■»»'•    I  soon 
lf»-ashore  wash  ; "  and^  J^'"^  *''^'  »  sailor  calls  "a 

P'entnre,  and  obTJnIng  L^e  fr  ""T'""^  "'^  C«"'on 
h«  set  f«„,  on  Ya,  kee-Und  Ia"  *'>"""  ^■'  '  ""c" 
ps  and  four  months  '  *^'*''  "»  «''««>««  of  two 


•».' 


•2> 


'in 
.J 


I 


r1 


m 


.TJ^: 


182     *   !^^1 


f  ' 

C    n 

I"'    ' 

Mi  ^ 


c.  .. 

Ml  5 


*,    T.,  •>--!  ?^  .-{,;??*• '.-r^;,   fT: 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

MBETINO  WITH  FRIBND8  AT  HOME LAST  INTERVIKW  WITH  JACK 

SAWYBE SAIL  IN  THE  SHIP  BALTIC  FOR  RIO  JANEIRO. 

With  my  two  cousins,  I  started  at  a  rafid  pace  for 
the  residence  of  my  friends  in  Roxbury.  Every  objt^ct 
I  fell  in  with  induced  a  train  of  reflections  which 
forth    pleasing    recollections  of    my    schoollm/ 


Passing  lip  State  Street,  I  saw,  at  the  lower  |art 


th 

mi 

fui 

1 

anc 

wei 

"ki 

t'ofl 

said 

true 

mesfi 

and 

and  ( 

rhino 

few  fc 

boats t 

ye,"  c 


called 
days. 

of  the  Old   Stute  House,  the  Roxbury,   Dedham,  and 
Milton    stages ;    1   had  often  rode    behind  the  former, 
while  crossing  Roxbury  Neck.     There,  too,  stood  the 
Old  South,   with  its  tall  stucplo,  presenting  the  same 
appearance  of  tottering  age  that    it  did  ten   years  he- 
fore.     As  it  was  near  five  o'clock,  and    this  the  first 
time  I  had  had  my  land  tacks  aboard  for  six  months, 
and  the  distance   being  greater  than   [  felt  disposed  to 
walk,  we  concluded   to  take  our  seats  in  the  Roxbury 
stage,  and,  after  a  ride  of  about  fifteen   minutes,   we 
landed  before  the  old  family  mansion,  and  1  soon  found 
myself  surrounded  by  my  friends,  with  my  sister  at  my 
side.     This  interview  was  such  as  might  have  been  ex- 
pected with  near  and  very  dear  relatives,  on  meeting  after 
a  separation  of  two  years  aiid  a  half;  and  every  pains 
were  taken  to  render  me  comfortable  and  happy.     Time 
flew   on   with   golden    wings;  three   weeks   had  iinv 
passed  away  since  my  return,  during  which  I  was  oooi' 
pelted  to  relate,  with  minute  exactness,  all  the  incidentsi for  Rjo 
of  the    voyage;    and  then  the  most  ea/nest  eiitreatiej| bouse  in 


a 


breeze 
if  heac 
you  ha 
my  nai 
Wht 
hand, 
etnorioi 
he  was 
to  sail 
agined 
too  full 
of  his  \ 
our,  "G 
About 
men  wh 


were  used  to  induce  me  to  give  up  the  hardships  audi 
perils  of  a  f>ea  life,  believing,  as  they  said,  I  must  havel 
had  enough  of  it  ;  in  this,  however,  they  were  greatljfj 
mistaken  — for,  so  far  from  my  ardor  being  abated  m 


the 


carg 


consignee 
'Wd  they 
second  n 
^iJtly  qi 


LirB    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


183 


WITH  JAC» 
lNBIRO. 

(1  pace  for 
very  ohy'ci 
IOU8   which 
schoolboy 
I  lower  1  art 
Bdham,  a»d 
the  fi»rmer, 
o,  stood  the 
,g  the  same 
>i)  years  be- 
[his  the  first 
six  months, 
disposed  to 
:he  Roxbury 
iniinutes,  we 
|l  soon  foaiid 
r  sister  at  my 
lave  been  ex- 
meeting  afiet 
every  pains 
.npy;     'rime 
s  had  HO^I 
I  1  was  com* 
the  incidents 
PSt  eiitrealieH 
midships  and 
'  1  must  havel 
were  grt^atly] 
kg  abated  lofl 


this  vocation,  it  wa^  greatly  increased,  and  my  deler- 
mniu'iuii  settled  down  to  follow  its  pursuits  as  my 
future  Qullini;. 

I  fre(piently  met  with  my  old  messmate,  Jack  Sawyer^ 
and  found  that  his  habits,  as  well  as  his  appearance, 
were  altoi^ether  changed.  He  assured  me  that  he  had 
"knocked  otf  drinking  grog,  and  had  been  standing  on 
t'other  tuck,"  ever  since  he  came  on  shore.  "  'J'heie," 
said  he,  offering  me  his  hand,  ''  is  a  hard  fist  and  a 
true  heart;  Jack  Sawyer  is  not  the  man  to  forget  a 
messmate ;  no,  no !  you  have  larnt  me  how  to  read 
and  write,  and  your  advice  has  kept  me  from  rum  shopi 
and  other  places  that  used  to  swamp  all  my  hard-earned 
rhino  when  1  got  on  shore.  Now,  d'ye  s^re,  I've  got  a 
few  brads  in  my  pocket,  and,  what's  better,  I've  got  a 
boatswain's  berth  on  board  an  East  Indiuman.  Hark 
ye,"  continued  he,  "  so  long  as  you  bang  salt  water, 
here's  wishing  you  may  have  a  tight  ship,  a  leading 
breeze,  and  always  be  able  to  eat  your  allowance  ;  but 
if  head  winds  and  foul  weather  thwart  your  hawse,  and 
you  have  to  bear  up  in  distress,  why  then,  you  know 
my  name  is  Jack  Sawyer,  that's  all." 

When  he  had  finished,  he  shook  me  heartily  by  the 
hand,  and  turned  away,  evidently  laboring  under  great 
emotion.  After  this,  I  saw  him  but  once  more,  and  then 
he  was  going  on  board  the  East  Indiaman,  which  was 
to  sail  the  next  day.  Our  parting  may  be  better  im- 
agined than  described ;  suffice  it  to  say,  liis  heart  was 
too  full  for  utterance,  and  as  he  turtied  otf,  the  last  sound 
of  his  voice  struck  full  upon  my  ears,  as  he  murmured 
out,  "  God  bless  you  !  " 

About  this  time,  I  became  acquaiuied  with  two  young 
men  who  were  shortly  to  embari',  Im  the  ship  Baltic, 
for  Rio  de  Janeiro,  intending  to  er  iublish  a  commission- 
house  in  that  place.  They  had  chartered  the  ship,  and 
the  cargo  was  of  their  own  procuring;  consequently, 
consigned  to  them.  The  ship  was  nearly  ready  for  sea, 
and  they  urged  me  to  seek  for  a  berth  on  board  of  her  as 
second  mate.  I  did  not,  however,  think  myself  suffi- 
ciently qualified  for  the  station ;  but  they  were  urgent| 


>s 

■'§ 

1> 

*  I 

^u^S,^ 


184 


LIFk:   ON  THE   OCBAN. 


i!; 


*««  *• 
•mi  -'' 

■Ml   * 

•«'  Si 
■kit  '' 


■i 


•I 


and  introduced  me  to  Captain  L.,  the  commander  of  the 
Baltic,  with  whom  they  were  well  acquainted.  After 
some  conversation  with  him  as  to  ray  pretensious,  &c., 
for  the  place,  I  produced  my  recommendation  from 
Captain  W.,  when  it  was  settled  that  I  should  have  the 
berth,  at  the  wages  of  twenty-five  dollars  per  month, 
and  that  I  must  immediately  repair  on  board  to  enter 
upon  the  duties  of  my  station.  This  being  settled, 
my  friends  were  soon  made  acquainted  with  the  ar- 
rangement, and  the  necessary  preparations  were  made 
for  a  second  voyage,  such  as  getting  my  sea  dunnage 
in  order,  d&c.  I  purchased  c.  small  adventure  suitable 
to  that  market ;  and  this,  with  my  Canton  adventure, 
which  I  had  not  sold,  amounted  in  all  to  about  three 
hundred  dollars. 

On  the  3d  of  April,  1810, 1  repaired  on  board  with  my 
dunnage,  &c.,  and  was  introduced  to  the  chief  mate, 
Mr.  R.,  whom  I  thought  to  be  (on  first  acquaintance)  a 
very  clever  fellow.      I  very  soon  found  out  that  the 
second  ofiicer  on  board  of  this  ship  had  not  quite  so 
easy  a  berth  as  in  the  Dromo.    We  expected  to  be  ready 
for  sea  in  two  or  three  days,  and  the  crew  were  shipped, 
amounting  in  all  to  fourteen  souls,  viz.,  the  captain,  first 
and  second  officers,  cook,  steward,  eight  men  and  one 
boy  before  the  mast.      On  the  5th  of  May,  the  cargo 
was  completed,  and  the  ship  was  in  readiness  for  sea. 
Our  destination  was  to  Rio  de  Janeiro,  and  from  thence 
to  the  Island  Tristan  d'Acunha ;  here  the  ship  was  to 
land  Mr.  Jonathan  Lambert,  who   had   taken  passage 
with  us  for  the  purpose  of  settling  on  that  island,  and 
take  off  some  men  who  had  been  there  for  some  time 
sealing,  together  with  whatever  skins  they  might  have 
procured  ;  the  ship  was  then  to  return  to  Rio,  and  load 
for  Boston.     As  this  was  the  last  day  of  our  stay  in 
port,  I  went  to  Roxbury,  and  took  an  affectionate  leave 
of  all  my  friends. 

Next  morning,  April  6th,  the  pilot  and  all  hands  were 
on  board,  together  with  the  passengers,  three  in  number^ 
two  of  whom  were  the  young  gentlemen  before  men- 
tionsd.     At  9  A.  M.,  loosed  the  sails,  sheeted  home  thii 


vatch, 

"pon  th( 

was  broi 

voyage  ; 

settled  b( 

Ij.  wasa 

^fed  sear 

his  mani 


"'=    on  THE    OCEAN.  ,., 

harbor,  w^h  aTh,r''  T'''  '"'^"tg' ow' JfV  ^ 
«  ftw  yards  from  the'^whlVT  ">«  "orthwl.^    fr 

rienced  on  my 7^7  „     """^'"  '»  'hose  X^l  f''*^ 
priWIege  of  walt^     u"''*^*''  a"houifh  I  h»i        **P*- 

dicfcei, "  1*    !l    '"*  d'stinctive  ann«r   .•        *  handle  to 
uicKey     by  the  sajlor<!      -Pk       fPNIation  of  "s«.„„ji 

^Ja^r-'^-^'-'U^^-:^^^^^^  th,s  ship 

>f««  of  lubberly  t?ecX^°"'S-flong  chap;  butrvoS 
a !\«';  upon  eanl  fnZZ"of  t^  'k'™  y""'"  J  '^«  K 

„-h:  a  n: J -4?  r  ^ar.h'rti'ao, 

"P"-.  the  character  of  the  Z.   ^'f  '"""'  "">«  'o  reflet 
ws  brought  to  perform  thrir''"  *'"'^  commwd  I 

willed  before  I  heard  his  adZJl  .  .  ''"'"  Pre"y  well 
L  was  a  man  of  about  foiL  «„  '"  ""'  <"•«*  Captain 
^  seaman,  of  lim^Mc^tLr  "''^^ '  »  """"C- 


/ 


h 


i86 


Lire    ON   THE    OCBAN. 


demanding  every  respect  for  himself  and  officers.  He 
was  not  the  one  to  make  any  allowance  if  a  man  was 
not  able  to  perform  the  duty  he  shipped  for.  Now,  as 
the  second  mate  of  a  merchant  ship  ought  to  be  as  active 
and  as  good  a  seaman  as  any  on  board,  of  course  1  did 
not  feel  quite  at  ease  with  a  man  of  Capt.  L.'s  peculiar 
temperament,  to  scrutinize  my  capabilities ;  however,  I 
-was  resolved  to  do  the  best  I  could,  and  make  up  in 
activity  whatever  I  might  be  deficient  in  seamanship. 

Mr.  R.,  the  chief  mate,  was  about  thirty  years  of  age, 
entirely  opposite  in  bis  character  to  Captain  L.  He 
was  a  man  of  education,  but  not  much  of  a  seaman ; 
pleasant  and  agreeable  in  his  manners,  but  exceedingly 
slow  in  his  movements, — just  such  a  one  as  commands 
but  little  respect  from  a  sailor.  As  I  have  described  the 
duty  appertaining  to  the  officers  of  a  merchant  vessel  in 
the  preceding  part  of  this  work,  I  shall  here  merely  state 
my  condition,  and  the  duties  I  had. to  perform  aboard 
of  this  ship.  In  the  first  place,  then,  my  situation  as 
second  mate  was  a  kind  of  bet  wixt-and-bet ween,  scarce- 
ly considered  by  the  sailors  as  an  officer,  and,  in  the  es- 
timation of  the  captain,  entitled  to  but  little  more  respect 
than  a  foremast -hand ;  of  course,  my  own  conduct  must 
determine  my  future  position.  The  duty  devolving  on 
me  was,  first,  the  care  of  all  the  spare  rigging,  junk, 
spun-yarn,  blocks,  marlinspikes,  marlin,  &c.  &.c. ;  so 
that,  whenever  any  of  these'  are  wanting,  it  was  neces- 
sary I  should  be  able  to  put  my  hands  on  them  at  once. 
In  reefing  topsails,  I  must  always  be  the  first  man  at  the 
weather-earing,  and  in  furling,  always  in  the  bunt,  this 
being  the  place  of  an  able  seaman.  There  is  no  surer 
mark  of  a  lubberly  second  mate,  than  to  let  any  man  on 
board  get  out  to  the  weather-earing  before  him,  or  to  be 
on  the  quarter  of  the  yard  when  furling  the  courses  or 
topsails.  In  a  word,  my  duty  was  like  that  of  a  boat- 
swain, not  only  to  take  care  of  the  spare  rigging,  blocks, 
ftc,  but  also  to  look  out  that  the  standing  rigging  did 
Bot  get  chafed,  and  especially,  to  report  whenever  a  yard  | 
OK  mast  was  sprung  or  defective.    It  was  my  duty,  io  i 


«•»«    ON  THE   OCEAIf. 

Now,  the  rules  of  ♦!•  "^?one  m  a  seaman-likA  «^  ^  ^ 

io-,  and  Jtnlt  tK^V^^'^'^^^^^^^^ 
supposed,  therefore,  thaTi  h«5    ''^  afternoon;  it  may^ 

April  7.  -The  w  nrf  h«  .     ""^^  ""^'^  idle  time 
"corning,  all  haSr^el^'r,^^^^^ 

presently  the  well-known  ?"®^^*°  g®'  «nder  way  •  and 
at  the  windlass,  when  Z'  ^°"?-^''awn  sound  was  heaM 
.and   ^op-gallanis^ilt^t^tlr  f  ^'  P^aMopS 
hoisted  to  the  mast-head  L^!!^'   ^^^^'^^  home,  and 
cant  ihe  ship's  head  tn  Tk ^^^  ^^^^  braced  so  as  ^o 
again  manned;  anrlL^^'^^^^'*^'   ^^e  windCs  wa« 
ground,  the  helm  ta    Z\T  !^^"«»^or  ^^  off  Tl^ 
off,  the  yards   were  brfced   m'?h^""'^  '  '^'  «hip  fei! 
jas  hove  „p  and  cattej,  the  fish  .    m"^?^'  '^^^  aichor 

was  standmg  out  on  her  courl         ^  ^^^^  *"»«  the  shin 
of  SIX  miles  per  hour     At  J^  '^"^1'^  °^  ^^  ^^e  ra^f 
lo^  fific.red  th«  anchor,  rLi  ^^^  ^'^  «*«charged  the  ni 
^e«k;  and  at  3^  P  m'  ^i'^^  *^«y  cables,  Ld  clear«i 
m^es  distant.    Atfun^J^K^^  ^'fhthouse  w^'^g 
and  once  mo,^  I  wasT'i^.  ""^  '^"^  '"  »he  distance 
«ky  and  water  meet         ^"^  ^^"'  '»>«  ocean  where 

I  do  not  desiattsib»K- 
^ith  a  detailed  ^1^  n^''^^^?'  ^«  fatigue  the  read.. 

»  watch;  conseqrientiv  wp  ™  ^"  only  five  men  in 


r* 


,.lt 


^   188 


LITE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


!i 


c  : 

HI  ••' 

I..  - 


Ik 


I 


4i 


i: 


»'J1 


it 
_,.    *' 

■«>  ?!; 

Si- 


stand  all  the  hardships  that  I  was  called  upon  to  et»' 
dure  ;  indeed,  such  was  my  pride  that,  if  the  duty  had 
been  doubly  severe,  I  should  have  endeavored  to  per- 
form it  without  a  murmur ;  and  in  the  end  it  greatly 
assisted  me,  for  I  found  myself  somewhat  deficient  in 
seamanship,  but  contrived,  nevertheless,  by  promptitude 
and  activity,  to  secure  the  favor  and  approbation  of 
Capt.  li.  The  chief  mate,  however,  was  not  so  fortu- 
nate. Naturally  of  a  supine  disposition,  and  not  much  of 
a  seaman,  and  fully  aware  of  his  deficiency,  he  bocame 
not  only  the  butt  on  whom  Capt.  L.  vented  his  ill- 
humor,  but  at  the  same  time  he  commanded  but  little 
respect  from  the  sailors;  his  situation,  therefore,  was 
exceedingly  unpleasant,  and  had  he  not  been  a  rela- 
tive of  the  owners,  Capt.  L.  would  have  deprived  him 
of  authority. 

I  now  perceived  in  Capt.  L.  that  which,  of  all  things, 
I  most  dreaded  in  a  master  of  a  vessel, — viz.,  a  fondness 
for  the  glass  ;  and  it  astonished  me,  how  much  he  could 
bear,  and  at  the  same  time  discharge  the  duties  of  his 
Station.  On  these  occasions,  — and  they  were  very  fre- 
quent,— sail  was  carried  so  long  that  it  could  not  be  taken 
in,  and  frequently  the  top-gallantsails  would  be  spread 
in  a  heavy  head-sea,  when  we  ought  to  have  been  under 
double-reefed  topsails.  Twice  during  the  pasi^age  we 
lost  our  top-gallantmast  and  top-gallantsails,  and  were 
well  nigh  running  the  ship  under.  The  evil  conse- 
quences of  drinking  to  excess,  particularly  with  a  cap- 
tain of  a  ship,  are  incalculable  ;  for  he  has  not  only  the 
absolute  control  of  both  vessel  and  cargo,  when  at  sea, 
but  also  the  lives  of  all  on  board  are  in  his  hands.  It 
is  a  matter  of  astonishment,  therefore,  that  so  great  a 
responsibility  should  be  given  to  one  who,  perhaps, 
two  thirds  of  his  lime  may  be  under  the  influence  of  the 
intoxicating  draught ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  it  has 
been  owing  to  this  miserable  vice  that  so  great  a  loss  of 
property,  and  the  lives  of  so  many  human  beings  have 
been  sacrificed.  1  resolved,  therefore,  from  this  time 
never  to  connect  myself  to  any  ship  or  to  embark  with 


# 


on  to  en- 
duty  had 
id  to  pet- 
it greatly 
ificient  in 
omptitude 
bation  of 
so  fortu- 
t  much  of 
16  became 
id  his  ill- 
but  httie 
jfore,  was 
en  a  rela- 
rived  him 

all  things, 
a  fondness 
ti  he  could 
ties  of  his 
e  very  fre- 
ot  be  taken 
be  spread 
3een  under 
lasSage  we 
and  were 
3vil  conse- 
ith  a  cap- 
i)t  only  the 
hen  at  sea, 
hands.  It 
so  great  a 
0,  perhaps, 
erice  of  the 
that  it  has 
at  a  loss  of 
>eings  have 
i  this  time 
tnbark  with 


^ir^    OS   THE    OCEAN. 


189 


any  captain  addicted  fn  ti  • 

were  my  fears   inr      **"^  P^^^^'^e  ;  indeed  »« 

•"/  tears,  in   referenpA   #«  /i        .   "meea,  so  ereai 

timate  fate  of  the  shipThat  I  1  ^^P'?'"  ^-  «'«1  thf^. 
fm">e  an  excuse,  on  i^rivi?,'\e  R^J"^'''  '^P<>»ible,t 
her.     Accordingly,  i  beJ„  f    f '"  '''*  •'aneiro,  to  leL» 
rangement  ^ithU^etXJlT^^^^u  "'  '"»''«  an  i! 
consignees  of  the  carlo  .f'°^"  ""«  "et*  on  boaS 
f  Hio.     This  excnTC  'oir''K;"  '"«''  ""^P^o^m 
two  gentlemen  hadZZZ'^t"^^^  «"»"gh,  for  ,ho» 
commission-honse   that   w«.  "jopartnership  w  th  t 

^reed  (if  Oaptam  L.  wo  ilH  Z     ■      "^^  °*^Ject,  thev 
3h.p)  that  I  should  Imv^ohlrT'  "^"  ^^  ^«^^«  tZ 
which,  at  that  time  wl^tr!^^V^  "^^^  ^^  their  vesseJ? 
Ayres      This  plai^C^^^t^^^^^^^^ 
sage,  It  was  proposed  bv  th^l       '  Y^^^  ^''^''t  half-nas- 
for  his  approWon  /  but  ^hf  ^""''^.'«««  to  CaptahiT 
J^tha  .erykind  reUp^Ln      Cr^T  .^^^  «'^  ^eTt 
»f  a  second  mate  could  ha'  ^''°®^'  however,  t^ 

not  ob^iect ;  but  if  ^o?  *!  'hoSd'r'  "'  ^^°'  ^«  ^o"ld 
Accordingly  J  ^a3  3„/^/jo^^^^^  to  go  the  voyage 

'n  order  to  meet  the  scnmn  o.,l  !   "''*^'  "'  *  Passenglr, 
guese,  who  at  that  tTm"  we"'  ^^^"*"«««  ^f  the  Portu 
the  dread  that  Ame  icr v  J  ?  ^^^stantly  alarmed  w  h 
"^^^'!!::fF^!^       introduce  Prenct 

in  thirty-four  da;s  from'^ToT  d'  ''^  ^^"'"^''^^  '^^^ 
plenty  of  hard  work  and  rTT  ^"""^  ^^'^^  we  had 
time  the  crew  had  not  l«  ?^/^  "'^^^-  «"^  *t  the  same 
The  ship   was  eonsltbt  ,r"/T^"^  P"^^^^ 
pressure  of  canvass   hat  tls  c  Xded  '^''^  l'^^   ""^«« 
(had  caused  her  to  leak  eTliXf"  h"^"  her,  which 
f 'g/»g  us  to  set  the  pumps^lo  L       ^'  ?PP^"  ^^''K 
«f  all  the  other  dutiesTa  shfn  « ^    T^  ^''''''     This 
hjo^e  especially  when  Tt  is  brLh^  ^^  "^"''  ^''^''^e, 
fent,  as  was  most  evident ifh?     ""^  ^7  mismanage- 
Jabor  of  the  crew  was   inlZ     !.  ""^'^  ^'^^^  »«.     The 
««nral   spleen    o7  Tsailor   w      '  ^"^   °^  ^""^««   the 

bmo^blinl  andjn  one  or  Two^LT "   '"!?'''^^^«^  ^^ 
18*  V^^oinstances,  indications  of 


I 


190 


LirE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


Ml  *; 
Iti  x" 

I.  ^ 


r  .i  c: 


■Ml 


L^ 


a,  it 


JC 


•HI  1^ 

mm  ^, 

cat  -^^ 
■fell  •*• 

Mil  •■ 


mutiny  were  exhibited,  by  refusing  to  do  their  duty. 
My  situation  now  became  exceedingly  unpleasant,  com- 
pelled as  I  was  to  enforce  the  orders  of  Captain  L. — 
which,  in  my  judgment,  were  si^metimes  very  unjust  — 
with  a  set  of  men  who,  I  must  acknowledge,  were 
treated  rather  like  slaves  than  freemen.  In  order,  there- 
fore, to  have  the  duty  of  the  ship  carried  on,  and  the 
orders  of  Captain  L.  executed  with  promptness,  and  to 
preserve  the  discipline  of  the  ship,  I  was  necessariiy 
corapelled,  much  against  my  own  feelings,  to  resort  to 
corporal  punishment.  This  mode  of  enforcing  obe- 
dience, however,  was  resorted  to  but  once  ;  after  which, 
the  duties  of  the  ship  were  executed  without  any  more 
grumbling. 

May  14.  —  This  morning,  saw  Cape  Prio,  bearing 
west-south-west,  distant  fourteen  miles.     During  the 
whole  of  the  day,  ran  down  the  land  under  a  press  of 
canvass,  with  the  wind  from  south-east ;  towards  smiset, 
the  wind  dying  away,  hauled  in,  and  anchored  abreast 
of  the  Island  of  Maricas,  in  twenty  fathoms  water.    This 
is  one  of  a  group  of  small  islands  situated  at  a  short 
distance  from  the  harbor  of  Rio  de  Janeiro.     Here  we 
lay  during  tl  e  night.     At  8  A.  M.,  the  sea  breeze  setting 
in,  we  immediately  got  under  way,  and  stood  into  the 
harbor.     When  abreast  of  the  "  Sugar-loaf,"  we  were 
boarded  by  a  boat  from  the  fort,  from  which  a  pass  was 
obtained  to  proceed  up  the  bay  to  the  anchorage-ground; 
and  before  we  reached  the  latter  place  we  were  boarded 
by  several  boats  belonging  to  men-of-war,  the  custom- 
house, and  the  forts.     At  11  A.  M.,  came  to  an  anchor, 
in  seven  fathoms  water,  abreast  of  the  Island  of  Cobras; 
after  which  we  moored  tlKs  ship.     Here  we  underwent  | 
a  severe  examination  by  the  officers  of  a  Portuguese! 
man-of-war,  by  whom  we  were  forbidden  to  go  on  shore 
until  a  further  examination  was  made  by  the  intendant 
of  the  police.     In  this  way  we  were  kept  in  suspense! 
until  night,  without  any  communication  with  the  shore.1 
After  dark,  to  our  great  surprise,  a  large  boat,  full  ofl 
•rmed  soldiers,  came  alongside,  the  commanding  officeil 


t^nn    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


\ 


of  which  jumned  on   u      ,  '** 

'angers,  withTv«,^i''r'!'  «"«'  ""-dered  all  .h„ 

wretched  pr„„„  „«„  about  ?hirtv„?''  "°™*'  "f  'his 
^iff ,  in  another  were  >•<  ''"'"?  negroes,  chained  in 

cX'etfTh^eir''"^  "'^^ -y>oTZr77L^'"''^-  »^-- 

mme  ot  the  deepest  dve     Thl    ^'^  *PPearance  denoted 

Indeed  the  «rhole  interior  of  .k  """•"  """"d  chatacttr 
«lth  and  vermin.     The  sLn5i.  ''^  P""*"  ""^  a  m^,Tf 
,7*   mpossible  for  any  oT^f.  ""^  ™  '"orrible  thlt^^ 
f^  "'ghe,  and  we  gave^some"V.h  "'"*'.'"«  '^o^  during 
I  few  pieces  of  silver  t^Te^  "[•''fe  miserable  wretch"! 
was  near  to  a  window^cnU     '^  "^  «  bench  tSat 
"•at  we  might  inhale  t^ef-l'"'  '^'«^  '">"  bars  t. 
passed  a  sleepless  nigh,  j'  f^P  ,  ^"-    ^»  ""»  way  C 
wholly  ignorant  of  thec'an  e  i  .1.'"^^'  '"'f^"^'  Cg 
conscious  that  none  of  their  f!     f  °,""^«-     VVe  were 
"s,  and  tha,  all  the  sh  p's  ™  J^  ''f  ^"'  ^'o'aterby 
wrrect,  and  in  strict  comnEr'  °"u  "'"■  Passports,  «»I 
hose  reflection,  thereforeT«  f  r""  "■"'■•  '""'s-     With 
"  onr  ministe;   was  apprl^f' '^"'^d  that,  so  ^on 
wonldimmediatelyeetnt^V      J  '^  "'"■  eondition    hi. 

»»'soea,yamat.er,for?woi''!'''     "^''is,  howeve"\va! 
P^mment  of  which  was  [ha  °,,'' ":"•"  «'^' »"d  m« 
'^  not  much   inflnei^e     ',  ,i  ^*  Jlmerican  minister 
,'?«"ndly,  because  of  the  1,^1  '•"■«  "^  Brazil    aid 

rie  ""'""'  "  «»"«  be  eSed™V"''=*'^^y  '»  P»^ 


/ 


c 

c 


■  « 


■Ml     "*■ 

^1  > 


E 


mm  ■*■ 

fi:i.    'H 

In;  -^1 
ami  "^ 

•     !Pt 
Ktil  ■•' 


«! 


192 


LIFE   ON   THC   OCEAN. 


the  next  morning.  Now,  the  idea  of  passing  another 
night  here  was  almost  insupportable,  especially  by  the 
two  young  merchants ;  but,  to  make  a  virtue  of  neces- 
sity, and  cheered  by  the  reflection  that  our  sufferings 
would  be  short,  we  waited  with  patience  until  the  next 
morning,  when  an  order  came  for  our  discharge.  We 
proceeded  to  the  residence  of  S.  W.  B.,  an  American 
commission-merchant,  with  whom  the  two  young  men 
who  came  out  in  the  ship  had  entered  into  copart- 
nership. From  Mr.  B.  we  learned  the  cause  of  our 
imprisonment.  It  seems  that  information  had  been  re- 
ceived that  an  American  vessel  from  France,  via  United 
States,  had  actually  sailed  from  the  former  place  for  this 
port,  having  passengers  on  board  who  were  supposed  to 
be  French  spies.  It  further  appears  that,  our  ship  an- 
swering the  description  of  the  obnoxious  vessel,  their 
suspicions  fell  upon  us  as  being  the  spies  in  question ;  the 
result  of  which  was,  wu  were  thrown  into  prison. 

It  is  probably  known  that  Don  John,  the  king  of  Por- 
tugal, left  Lisbon  with  his  family  in  haste,  (at  the  period 
when  the  French  endeavored  to  possess  themselves  of 
that  capital,)  and  took  up  his  residence  at  Rio;   and 
notwithstanding  the  broad  Atlantic  rolled  between  his 
enemies  and  himself,  and,  besides,  the  combined  armies 
of  England  and   Portugal   were  opposing    them,   yet, 
nevertheless,  so  great  were  his  fears,  that  the  most  rigid 
search  was  made  in  every  foreign  ship,  to  ascertain,  if 
possible,  if  any  Frenchmen  were  secreted  in  them.    The 
affair  of  our  imprisonment  created  much  excitement, 
and  it  became  the  subject  of  a  correspondence  between 
the  American  minister  and  the  court  of  Brazil ;  in  con- 
sequence of  which,  the  Americans  were  treated  with 
the  greatest  respect  during  the  remainder  of  my  stay 
in  Rio.    I  now  repaired  on  board  the  ship,  and  her 
cargo  was  soon  discharged,  the  ballast  taken  in,  &c., 
and  she  was  made   ready  to   proceed   on  her  voyage. 
Fortunately,  Capt.  L.  had  procured  a  yoimg  man  to  act 
in  my  place  as  second  mate,  and  I  was  paid  off  and  for- 
mally discharged  from  the  ship,  to  my  great  satisfaction. 


.1^ 


LIFE    ON  TUB   OCEAN. 


193 


another 
f  by  the 
f  necefr- 
Lifferings 
♦he  next 
ge.    We 
American 
>ung  men 
3  copart- 

e  of  o«f 
[  been  re- 
)ia  United 
ce  for  this 
ipposed  to 

ix  ship  ^^' 

essel,  their 

estion ;  the 

:ison. 

Ling  of  Por- 

t  the  period 

jmselves  of 
Uio;  and 
etween  his 
ined  armies 
them,  yet, 
3  most  rigid 
ascertain,  ii 

"them.    The 
jexcitement, 
ice  between 
Izil ;  in  con- 
reated  "ff^vn 
of  my  stay 
lip,  and  her 
:en  in,  &c., 
Lcr  voyage, 
man  to  act  | 
off  and  fot- 
satisfactiott- 


Having  previously  taken  my  adventure  on  shore,  I  ex* 
changed  the  customary  adieus  with  Capt.  L.,  Mr.  R.,  the 
crew,  &c.,  and,  taking  my  dunnage,  I  repaired  to  the 
residence  of  my  friends,  into  whose  employ  I  immediate- 
ly entered.  I  disposed  of  my  adventure  to  considerable 
advantage,  and  remained  with  those  gentlemen  six 
months,  in  the  capacity  of  clerk ;  after  which  they 
gave  me  command  of  a  fine  brig  to  run  between  Rio, 
Montevideo,  and  Buenos  Ayres.  I  remained  in  this  ves- 
sel fourteen  months,  during  which  I  made  five  success- 
ful voyages  for  the  owners,  and  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
scrape  together  about  three  thousand  dollars  for  myself, 
which  was  placed  in  their  hands,  as  I  had  the  most  un- 
bounded confidence  in  their  integrity. 


>*< 


I* 


^VKfcrcc      ,U'*JVM 


i^/Msft"ii' J^  s'^T-i^' 


.  1- 


/ 


/ 


194 


.>    HII  ! 


c 

c 

;ar 

#■ 

'.t 

Ci 

«•> 

1.  <^ 

!«> 

<tt 

■a! 

4 

^ 

';i 

m 

'  i 

■Ml 

»"<• 

r. 

C; 

■.   A. 

i'- 

■:tl 

mm 

'fl*, 

t: 

'rf* 

€* 

'H 

Mu, 

^t 

K, 

::j 

■tNI 

f^- 

•<|:: 

11 

m\ 

-'rt, 

mat 

••I. 

■* 

CHAPTER   XVII. 

UNFORTUNATE    CIRCUMSTANCES   INDUCING   A    RETURN    TO    THE 

UNITED   STATES — ARRIVAL — WARLIKE   PREPARATIONS PROS* 

PECTS   OF    REMAINING   ON  SHORE  BROKEN    UP ENTERED  ON 

BOARD   A    PRIVATEER SAILED   ON   A   CRUISE. 

I  SAILED  on  my  sixth  voyage,  and  arrived  safely  in 
Buenos  Ayres.  After  having  been  there  a  few  days, 
another  vessel  arrived  from  Rio,  having  persons  on  board 
with  powers  to  attach  my  vessel  and  cargo.  I  soon 
lAnrnprI  that  thft  hniii«A  nf.  Rio.  in  whnsft  prnploymfint 
I  sailed,  had  failed  for  a  large  amount,  and  that  these 
perbuiis  were  their  creditors.  I  was  now  left  wirhuiitl 
a  vessel,  and,  fearing  that  I  should  lose  the  funds  placedj 
in  their  hands,  lost  no  time  in  getting  back  to  Rio;j 
and  when  there,  I  found  the  condition  of  the  house  even 
worse  than  I  had  anticipated ;  for  all  my  two  years' 
hard  earnings  were  gone,  with  the  exception  of  about] 
five  hundred  dollars. 

With  this  small   sum   I  took  passage   in  the  ship] 
Scioto,  bound  for  Baltimore.     I  was  induced  to  do 
because  little  doubt   was   then  entertained   that  there] 
would  be  a  war  between  the  United  States  and  Eng* 
laud,  and  I  was  anxious  to  get  home,  if  possible,  before] 
it  was  declared.     We  were  fortunate  enough  to  arrive[ 
in  safety,  although  the  war  had  been  actually  declare 
fifteen  days  before  we  got  inside  of  the  Capes  of  Vii 
ginia.     When  we  arrived  in  Baltimore,  I  found  the  m( 
active  preparations  were  in   progress  to   prosecute  t\ 
war.    A  number  of  privateers  were  fitting  out ;  and  ever 
where  the  American  flag  might  be  seen  fiying,  denotii 


nature 

»ere  Jin 
cantiJe 
I  was 
obstacle 
leligiblo 
ished,  foi 
iredit,  an 

Fiug  ji 
ere  was 
iponwe 
0  establii 
ecessary 
^e  south, 
1^0  my 

D  We 

»  witho 

living 


Lir£    ON   THE    OCKAN. 


196 


URN  TO  THE 
riONB — PROB* 
.ENTERED  ON 


ed  safely  in| 
few  days, 


the  places  of  rendezvous ;  in  a  word,  the  most  intense 
excitement  prevailed  throughout  the  city,  and  the  posi- 
tion of  a  man  was  nqt  at  all  enviable,  if  it  were  ascer- 
tained that  he  was  in  any  degree  favorably  disposed 
towards  the  British.  It  happened  to  fall  to  my  lot  to  be 
an  eye-witness  to  the  unpleasant  affair  of  tarring  and 
feathering  a  certain  Mr.  T.,  and  also  to  the  demolishing 
of  the  Federal  Republican  printing-office  by  the  mob. 

Once  more  I  returned  to  Boston,  to  see  my  friends, 
whom  I  found  pretty  much  in  the  same  situation  as 
when  I  left  Ihem.  Two  years  had  made  but  little  alter- 
ation, except  that  my  sister  was  married,  and  my  father, 
being  aged,  had  retired  from  the  navy,  and  taken  up  his 
residence  in  Marshfield.  Every  persuasion  was  now 
used  to  induce  me  to  change  my  vocation,  backed  by 
the  strong  reasoning  that  the  war  would  destroy  com- 
I  merce,  and  that  no  alternative  would  be  left  for  seamen 


(ons  on  board  ■  {,„(  ^^^  unhallowed  pursuit  of  privateering.    These  argu 
rgo.     I  so^^lments  had  great  weight,  and  I  began  to  think  seriously 
prnployDnentH^f^jj^i^^^g  ^^^^  some  business  on  shore;  but  then  most 


fid  that  these 
left  wiTliout 
!  funds  placed 
back  to  Rio; 
le  house  even 
ly  two  years' 
ion  of  about 


insuperable  difficulties  arose  in  my  mind  as  to  the 
nature  of  the  business  1  should  pursue.  My  means 
were  limited,  quite  too  much  so  to  enter  into  the  mer- 
cantile line;  and  the  only  branch  of  it  with  which 
I  was  acquainted  being  the  ''commission,"  another 
obstacle  presented  itself,  which  was,  to  fix  upon  an 
|e)igiblo  location.  These  difficulties,  however,  soon  van- 
|ished,  for  a  wealthy  relative  offered  me  the  use  of  his 
iredit,  and  a  young  friend  with  whom  I  was  acquainted, 
yiug  just  returned  from  the  south,  informed  me  that 
lere  was  a  fine  opening  in  Richmond,  Virginia;  where- 
ipon  we  immediately  entered  into  a  mutual  arrangement 
arrive*^  establish  a  commission-house   in  that   place.     The 

^v\    a  claredB'^^®'^*^''  preparations  were  made,  and  we  started  for 

nallv  ae     ^mi^g  south. 

To  my  great  surprise  and  mortification,  however, 
Q  we  reached  Norfolk,  I  ascertained  that  my  partner 

IS  without  funds ;  neither  had  he  the  expectation  of 
iving  any.    This  changed  the  current  of  my  fortunes 


in  the  ship' 

led  to  do  this 

>d  that  there 

[tes  and  Eng- 

)ssible,  befoiel 

arriyej 

,''"y'   fVi 
I  Capes  ot  VI 

)und  the  im 
I  prosecute  tl 
lut :  and  evei 


|K 


> 

* 

I 


''25 

i     i4 

4 

( 

m 
* 


ring,  denotinl 


'Il  «L 


. .  196 


LirE    ON   'iMB    OCBAlf. 


c 

c 


m\  -i 


mi 

wut 


» « 


CI.   "■ 
II  '^ 

J?l  •"■' 
Li  '*• 
Li  ^ 

I  .  ' 

ft.  -^ 

•^-  ^ 

•*'     M 


altogether.  I  was  deceived  by  him;  consequently  all 
intercourse  was  broken  off  between  us.  As  my  prospect? 
were  now  blasted,  in  reference  ta  establishing  myself 
in  business  on  shore,  I  resolved  once  more  to  embark 
on  my  favorite  element,  and  try  my  luck  there  again. 
Here  too,  in  Norfolk,  all  was  bustle  and  excitement  — 
drums  beating,  colors  flying,  soldiers  enlisting,  men 
shipping  in  the  States'  service,  and  many  privateers 
fitting  out, — creating  such  a  scene  of  confusion  as  I  had 
never  before  witnessed. 

Young,  and  of  an  ardent  temperament,  I  could  not 
look  upon  all  these  stirriiig  movements  an  unmoved 
,  spectator ;  accordingly,  I  entered  on  board  the  George 
Washington  privateer,  in  the  capacity  of  first  lieutenant. 
She  mounted  one  twelve-pounder  on  a  pivot,  and  two 
long  nines,  with  a  complement  of  eighty  men.  She  was 
in  all  respects  a  beautiful  schooner,  of  the  most  exact 
symmetrical  proportions,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
tons'  burden,  and  said  to  be  as  swift  as  any  thing  that 
floated  the  ocean.  In  reference  to  this  enterprise,  I 
must  confess,  in  my  cooler  moments,  that  I  had  some 
qualms :  to  be  sure,  here  was  an  opportunity  of  making 
a  fortune ;  but  then  it  was  counterbalanced  by  the  pos- 
sibility of  getting  my  head  knocked  off,  or  a  chance  of 
being  thrown  into  prison  for  two  or  three  years :  how* 
ever,  I  had  gone  too  far  to  recede,  and  I  determined  to 
make  the  best  of  it.  Accordingly,  I  placed  what  little 
funds  I  had  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  G.,  of  Norfolk,  and 
repaired  on  board  of  the  {nrivateer,  with  my  dunnage 
contained  in  a  small  trunk  and  clothes-bag.  On  the 
morning  of  July  20th,  1812,  the  officers  and  crew  being 
all  on  board,  weighed  anchor,  made  sail,  and  stood  down 
the  river,  with  the  stars  and  stripes  floating  in  the  breeze, 
and  was  saluted  with  a  tremendous  cheering  from  the 
shore.  I  now  was  on  board  of  a  description  of  craft  with 
which  I  was  entirely  unacquainted;  I  had,  therefore, 
much  to  learn.  The  lieutenants  and  prize-masten, 
however,  were  a  set  of  clever  fellows ;  but  the  captain 
was  a  rough,  uncouth  sort  of  a  chap,  and  appeared  to  me 


to 
the 

ed 

desj 

crui 

frad 

on  ti 

in  CI 

and 

havei 

that 

Capej 

wind 

was  o 


On 
lynni 
about 
sail  Wi 
bearing 
ing  she 
stood  o 
shot. 
Werec 
all  her 
privatee 
soon  dro 
^e  bein 
gallant  s 
sheet,  hi 
nianoeur 
fire,  and 
hour  wer 
m  dam 
nailed  it  ^ 
•pints,  be 
Jasanythi 
*«  captai 


MM    ON    TRC    OCIAW, 

«<>>>efitforI.Mlee|ge,h,„  fi  ...  "' 

c..«r  were  a  motleyVe,  ,!",    S  ""^  ""^  P'under     Th. 
•hey  appeared  ,o  K  hee^'l"''™?^' ^  "^  «na..W 

««  a  leader  to  ii,d„ce  th.,»  .        '^"=^'  ""d  only  wanf 
desperation.    Our  de„i^.T  '"""y  ««'»  -f  darL  tSd 

'"den  between  wS  te'L*"   "'""^P'  «•>«  eK 
on  Che  main     Th.r     •  •    '"di»  Is  ands  and  .1..  f 

<^pes.  This  induced  L,-  **»  onjisini  off  thT 
^M  frem  the  son  hw^' "'Plf'"  '?  P'«  '«  «>«  m°h  the 
«"  on  a  wind.  '^'  "  *''«  P'ivateer's  best  wilinB 

On  the  mornin*  of  aoj    r  •  t 
t-ynnharen  Bay  and  t^j  ."''''  8<"  ""der  way  fiv».' 

»>!»'"  10  mij'oiTo?  car«  ^'  »^-  M^^  wSs; 

^  her  light  saife,'^,  ,d  hauled  f.   T'  '^«  %«« tooH 
pnvateer  lay  nei^er  the  ^tdtZ  ^.l'  T'"^''     As  the 
«)on  dropped  in  our  wake  and  lu     ^^^  ^"S^^®'  the  latter 
^e  being  under  cov^r  of  her  I^'"  ^i^^'^'half-gunshot' 
,  gallant  sails :  at  the  sam«L      ^""^»  ^^e  furled  her  torv 
Nheet,  hoisted    llaTZ  iTf^'J'''^^'^  ^^  the  ^. 
Imnmivre  the  frilje  tV?^f'  ^"^  *^«^ed.     By  Ss 
fre,  and  continufrtoTa  "^1^""^',  W«  too^khe? 
honr  were  out  of  the  reach  nfh     ^  ^'^^^^  and  in  one 

Q  damage.  This  was  o.^X^'Y'''''''''  '^^^^ 
hajled  It  as  a  good  omen  tL  '  ^^enture,  and  wf 
•P'ms,  becausi  the  fSe  J««  '"^'^.  ^^''^  ^^  i"  high 
«  ^«y  thing  on  our  S\tT«.T''^'^"^  '^  he  as  fLt        ■ 

*e  captain  bad  not  ^y  ^^'^'/X'' '"1^^^^ 

19  ^  «=»**"«**  the  confidence  of  the 


> 


198 


LirE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


«~ 

e™ 

Vr       * 

Ml     ■'-^ 

IV     "" 

i.. -^^ 

1-.  - 

«5J  '4 

*»'  k*. 

•<'  .  t 

■Ul 

t 

r., '"- 

,  #'■  • "" 

II  c,  ^- 

^>  :> 

V-- 

»-JI  ■■'•■- 

tr'" 

i::^ 

l»;    ^* 

^'  sj 

Ipm 

tea*  **'% 

•n'^  ;^' 

Kit  ■"■'■ 

■M>   ■»» 

Mm  '"■< 

crew  by  this  daring  manoenvVe,  but  we  found  we  could 
rely  upon  our  heels  for  safety. 

Nothing  material  occurred  until  we  got  into  the  Mona 
passage,  when  we  fell  in  with  the  Black  Joke  privateer, 
of  New  York  ;  and  being  unable  to  ascertain  her  charac- 
ter, in  consequence  of  a  thick  fog,  we  came  into  collision, 
and  exchanged  a  few   shots,  before  we  found  out  we 
both  wore  the  same  national  colors.     This  vessel  was  a 
sloop  of  not  very  prepossessing  appearance  ;  but  as  she 
had  obtained  some  celebrity  for  sailing  in  smooth  water, 
having  previously  been  an  Albany  packet,  she  was  fitted 
out  as  a  privateer.     In  a  sea-way,  however,  being  very 
short,  she  could  not  make  much  more  head-way  than  a 
tub.     It  was  agreed,  between  the  respective  captains  of 
the  two  vessels,  to  cruise  in  company,  and  in  the  event 
of  a  separation,  to  make  a  rendezvous  at  Carthagena. 
We  soon  ascertained  that  our  craft  would  sail  nearly  two 
knots  to  the  Black  Joke's  one,  and  it  may  well  be  sup- 
posed that  our  company-keeping  was  of  short  duration. 
In  two  days  after  parting  with  her,  the  long-wished-for 
cry  of  "  Sail  ho  ! "  was  sung  out  from  the  mast-head. 
Made  all  sail  in  chase.      When  within  short  gunshot, 
let  her  have  our  midship  gun,  when  she  immediately 
roimded   to,   took  in  sail,  hoisted  English   colors,  and 
seemed  to  be  preparing  to  make  a  gallant  defence.    In 
this  we  were  not  mistaken,  for  as  we  ranged  up,  she 
opened  a  brisk   cannonading   upon   us.      I  now  wit- 
nessed the  daring  intrepidity  of  Captain  S. ;  for,  while 
the  brig  was  pouring  a  destructive  fire  into  us,  with 
the  greatest  coolness  he  observed  to  the  crew,   "That 
vessel,   my  lads,   must  be   ours  in   ten  minutes  after 
I  run  this  craft  under  her  lee  quarter."      By  this  time 
we  had  sheered  up  under  her  stern,  and  received  the 
fire  of  her  stem-chasers,  which  did  us  no  other  damage 
than   cutting  away  some   of    our  ropes   and   making 
wind-boles  through  the  sails.     It  was  the  work  of  a  mo-  i 
tnent ;  the  schooner  luffed  up  under  the  lee  of  the  brig, 
and,  with  almost  the  rapidity  of  thought,  we  were  made 
fast  to  her  main  chains.     *' Boarders  away!"  shoutedj 

V  i. 


^"£    ON   THE    OCEAN.  ,.^ 

Cant    **{      xv      I  *99 

ever,  ,,„  .„„  „f  o^r  1  Js'^^e""  ""^.^  '»«•»«»,  „o.*Cf 
»gpikes.     The  enemy  Se^  V""^''.'""'  board, 
were  soon  ompowered  bv^!     •    """   ^^^^ace,    but 
eaptain  of  the  brig  "^s  mLT""'  '"""'•*"'  ""d  the 
muintes  after  we  sot  ^l^^^'^'  «"»"Kled.     !„  t^em^ 

-«^«  waving  .riL^tef  .h"  ^'^"  ""^  ^"^P^ 
this  affair,  we  had  two  Ir  ii  a      .  ""^  ^""sh  flag.      L, 
ed,  besides  hawl  Z>e  if     ""^  ^'*"  ^"sh.ly  wiund- 
»a.ls  somewhat  r  3d LT    The'h  "^^'"^  "=«  ''"'^X  and 

bound  to  the  Gulf  of  MaracIfbo'J!^'"'"  '"'■"■"  •'""aict 
'ngar,  frnit,  &c.     She  w^  1  '  ^^  ^^S"  """^is-ed  of 

mounted  six  six-pounderl^  ,7     "'"''.'^  "">*'  burden 
men,  all  told,     g^e  wTn^ZedlT''''''"'"'  "^  ^ftj^ 
"ow,   a,id  ordered   to  ZZn  t'^  P"^e-master  and 
wherever  she  co.dd  ?e.  Z  ^  ^""^  States 

-peclLnf  ^L^rT  'Z'jTTt "«  -"•>  P-a'eering ' 
a  ba„d  „,  d;:;r:do"e  '!!i  t"  nth' l""""'  ''^"''' 

?o\-;rf^'zrbi:lritT^™^^^^^ 

I.  induced 'me  to  form' a  « sotl"  hl'j'i'^'''''''''''^  ""'"'S 
''hat,  to  my  mind,  apr«ared  ,!  h       '  "'°"'<'  "''"'quish 
omragoous  p„„„i,  /  K  could  no,'  t'h"  ""fr''"'''"^^^ 
hat  no  conscientious  man  could  h*"  '"''P  believing, 
teenng,  and  certainly  there  w»,  „   I  ^''^'^ed  in  privf: 
bjj ...     The  second  ttanTcame  tT  '"  "^  8^"'«' 
m-ia  ion  as  myself;  and  S  ofT       "'^  "'""^  deter- 
spised  our  commander  La,  »   1       """'  cordially  de- 

"on  that  those  mro.uragets  J"'  ""'?  ^''  ^""'^ 
plundering  were  commiuXlfTT.^f  ebbing  and 
repairing  damaffes  ^^    „  "  ^^  ^"^  brie.     Aftpr 

'»  fill  «;  the  S*a"k  andT"  """^ '"'"  ^^'ha^e  " 
*«  we  might  extend  the  crir""""  "•'  ?"''"««'-  "-> 


I 


■*»  ^  •« 


i|>>--..|'?f«-j 


i',tiW!n*>--:" 


200 


mm, 


4-'?t#'  -: 


€ 
€ 


Vf, 


If 


■-«, 

Mb 


CI.  " 


f 


I.  ^ 


w^llt 


-it*. 

mi  «"* 


if|K.^ 


-"^, 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

BOARDING  IN  THE     NIGHT CAPTURE TAKEN     PRISONER    BT 

CANNIBALS HORRIBLE     TREATMENT RELEASE     BY     RAN* 

80M SAIL    FOR    CARTHAOENA. 

In  a  few  days  we  arrived  at  our  destination,  without 
falling  in  with  any  other  vessel ;  and,  on  entering  the 
port,  we  found  our  comrade,  the  Black  Joke  privateer, 
whicli  had  arrived  a  day  or  two  previously.    Carthagena 
lies  in  the  parallel  of  10°  26'  north,  and  75°  38'  west 
longitude ;  the  harbor  is  good,  with  an  easy  entrance ; 
the  city  is  strongly  fortified  by  extensive  and  command- 
ing fortifications  and  batteries,  and  1  should  suppose,  if 
well  garrisoned  and  manned,  they  would  be   perfectly 
able  to  repel  any  force  which  might  be  brought  to  bear 
against  them.     It  was  well  known,  at  this  time,  that  all 
the  provinces  of  Spain  had  shaken  off  their  allegiance 
to  the  mother  country,  and  declared  themselves  inde- 
pendent.    Carthagena,  the  most  prominent  of  the  prov- 
inces, was  a  place  of  considerable  commerce ;  and  about 
this  time,  a  few  men-of-war,  and  a  number  of  privateers, 
were  fitted  out  there.     The  Carthagenian  flag  now  pre- 
sented a  chance  of  gain  to  the  cupidity  of  the  avaricious 
and  desperate,  among  whom  was  our  commander,  Capt. 
S.    As  soon,  therefore,  as  we  had  filled  up  our  water,  &;c., 
a  proposition  was  made  by  him,  to  the  second  lieutenant 
and  myself,  to  cruise  under  both  flags,  the  American  and 
Carthagenian,  and  this  to  be  kept   a    profound   secret 
from  the  crew,   until  we  had   sailed    from   port.     Of 
course  we   rejected  the  proposition  with  disdain,   and 
told  him  the  consequence  of  such  a    measure,  in   the 
event  of  being  taken  by  a  man-of-war  of  any  nation,— 


^'^E    ON   THE    OCEA^. 

that  it  was  piracv  to  nil  •  ^ 

vateer  if  he  persisted  in  thi«  T,    f    ^  ^"  ""»  i"  the  mi 

logetlier  with  some  80801,,™'     ."^  '*''S°«s  of  which 
««;o  pnvateera.     In.oTe  ifT'  *'"'''*''  between  (t' 
pnsonera,  gave   then,   Zmi     ,  P"'™  *«  P"t  all  tto 

prizes  were   burned.     We  thZ '         remainder  of  the 
liei'ig  short  of  water  ™..  ■  ^"  '""•'«<*  «omDamr   »..j 
to  ascertain  if  anv  oouW  hi"  '°"'"^'  '^e  Cd^^'oS 
'he  sW  the  wiifdr^awavToT"-.  '"  W-^htg 
<  P-  M   a  small  schooner  w«         '*'*'=«  ""I™,  and  « 
"e  had  not  «eera«e  ^!;^^„^*"  '" '^"ore  of '„s    *  A' 

<lafk;  It  was,  therefore   Z?^^'". ''^'"  "hafacter  befd 
■0  board  her' withte'b^nX  "^  '^'  "=»«» 
T  «  was  a  dangerom,  serTic^  b  «  7heT»       ""*  "'«''*• 
««.     Volnuteers  beinjr  called  d.f     **'  "»  backing 
«n<l  verjr  soon,  a  sufficient  mi  k'  \  ''*PPed  forwa  d* 
'««'»  offered  thei    Ss   to   h"  I    """  '"  "«» '«^»' 
position    was   made  for   the   at.rJ'  'Z'     E"*'/  d'^     ' 
'5';»glK  armed,  oars  m,'ffl^%«ff-     The   men  we^ 
«ach  boat.     The  bearingl!?',!"!"  8™PPling  placed  i" 
"Id  night  came  on  peSv  W^      ™?S^  "«"  "e'e  take , 
command  of  the  exSln  1     *"''  "'"'""e"^     <  took 
'»?  charge  of  one  b^     The  „*  '^°"<'  "e-tenant  ha°- 
Nose  together,  until'^e  It  S?TT  ^"^  ">  "^'ep 
Kwiid   lieutenant  was   fn   L  5  '  "'^  ""e  vessel ;   the 
on  the  quarter,     wlnm"  ^"T''-  °"   'he   bow,  and  I 
""nee;  nothing  was  heard  1      '"  ">«  "«  PofouJ 

J»8ht  of  the  vessel  I  had  sufficieL  ,    ^'"'■^  '*'e  obtained 
»"«t  perilous  enterprise  ""*"='«"•  "™e  to  reflect  on  this 
'    "^y  reflections  were  not  nf  .i, 

,9,  not  of  the  most  pleasant  cliarac 


I 


0 
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LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


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ter,  and    I   found  myself  inwardly  shrinking,  when  I 
was  aroused  by  the  voice  of  the  bowman,  saying,  "  There 
she  is,  sir,  two  points  on  the  starboard  bow."     There 
she  lay,  sure  enough,  with  every  sail  hoisted,  and  a  light 
was  distinctly  seen,  as  we  supposed,  from  her  deck,  it 
being  too  high  for  the  cabin-windows.     We  now  held 
a  consultation,  and  saw  no  good  reason  to  change  the 
disposition  of  attack,  except  that  we  agreed  to  board 
simultaneously.  It  may  be  well  to  observe  here,  that  any 
number  of  men  on  a  vessel's  deck,  in  the  night,  have 
■double  the   advantage  to  repel  boarders,  because  they 
.may  secrete  themselves  in  such  a  position  as  to  fall  upon 
an  enemy  unawares,  and  thereby  cut  them  off,  with  lit- 
.tle  difficulty.     Being  fully  aware  of  this,  I  ordered  the 
men,  as  soon  as  we  had  gained  the  deck  of  the  schooner, 
;to  proceed  with  great  caution,  and  keep  close  together, 
till  every  hazard  of  the  enterprise  was  ascertained.     The 
iboats  now  separated,  and  pulled  for  their  respective  sta- 
tions, observing  the  most  profound  silence.     When  we 
•had  reached  within  a  few  yards  of  the  schooner,  we 
lay  upon  our  oars  for  some  moments,  but  could  neither 
hear  nor  see  any  thing.     We  then  pulled  away  cheerily, 
and  the  next  minute  were  under  her  counter,  and  grap- 
pled to  her ;  every  man  leaped  on  the  deck  without  op- 
position.    The  other  boat  boarded  nearly  at  the  same 
moment,  and  we  proceeded  in  a  body,  with  great  caution, 
to  examine  the  decks.     A  large  fire  was  in  the  caboose, 
and  we  soon  ascertained  that  her  deck  was  entirely  de- 
serted, and  that  she  neither  had  any  boat  on  deck,  nor 
to  her  stern.     We  then  proceeded  to  examine  the  cabin, 
leaving  an  armed  force  on  deck.     The  cabin,  Uke  the 
deck,  being  deserted,  the  mystery  was  easily  unravelled. 
Probably  concluding  that  we  should  board  them  under! 
cover  of  the  night,  they,  no  doubt,  as  soon  as  it  was 
dark,  took  to  their  boats,  and  deserted  the  vessel.    On  I 
the  floor  of  the  cabin  was  a  part  of  an  English  ensign, 
and  some  papers,  which  showed  that  she  belonged  toj 
Jamaica.     The  little  cargo  on  board  consisted  of  Ja-[ 
maica  rum,  sugar,  fruit,  &c. 
*5  The  breeze  now  springing  up,  and  the  privateer  show* 


ir 

C( 

b( 

W( 

tli( 


king,  when  I 
ying,  "  There 
ow."  There 
ed,  and  a  light 
i  her  deck,  it 
We  now  held 

0  change  the 
reed  to  board 
here,  that  any 
e  night,  have 
because  they 
its  to  fall  upon 

1  off,  with  lit- 
I  ordered  the 
'  the  schooner, 
;lose  together, 
•tained.  The 
respective  sta- 
j.  When  we 
schooner,  we 
could  neither 

I  way  cheerily, 
ter,  and  grap- 
t  without  op- 
'  at  the  same 
great  caution, 
1  the  caboose, 
3  entirely  de- 
on  deck,  nor 
line  the  cabin, 
;abin,  Uke  the 
ily  unravelled. 
1  them  under! 
oon  as  it  was 
e  vessel.  On  I 
uglish  ensign,. 
3  belonged  tol 
isisted  of  Ja-| 

rivateer  show* 


WrB    OS  THE    OCEAN. 


ing  lights,  we  were  PnnKi  ^  ^^^ 

couple  of  hours  TSl*^^^^  ^^«"g-de  of  her  in  . 

%P-aree?tt°;rre '^^^ 
Being  close  in  shore  i^L      V^^  ^''^^'s  cargo        ^ 

attempt  was  made  to  land  ZT.  "^^^^^^ary,  before  anv 
should  be  decov^,?  ^  T  '  *"^'  some  of  iho  i  j  ' 
for  our  safety    ^l?r  ^"^^^^  ^"^  detained  as  h.?""' 

»'«  put  OD  board  the  pX  ,r'.T'  '""""y  '^atc>cX 

fo"t  one  hundred  yards  f^^'  u'"  '"'  ^»d  anchorod 
':«re  got  in  readiness  audtu^  *^^  '^^^^h.  The  S 
f;  water-casks  slung,"  « Jy^n"  ^''^  ^^^»  -rmed,'';f;j 
fxamined  my  own  So?  i  ^  ^  proceed  on  shore  i  h  ^ 
had  out  thli  •  P'®^°'s  narrowly  thaf  m  '  '^^^ 

.„i,  P"^  *"®'^  »n  complete  ordpr  o  J  mornmg,  and 

,  Wen  eve,y  p,eca,uio^  orZiZ'T  '  ".^'-4  had 
prevent  surprise.  "'  '"«'"«  operations,  so  as  to 

'^"'^^^^^'''''«'"'-^"— uc.edh„.,or.i,. 


0 


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LIFE    ON  THS   OCEAN. 


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nil 


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wains ;  but  no  spot  of  grass,  or  shrub,  was  visible  to  the 
eye,  with  the  exception  of,  here  and  there,  the  trunk  of 
an  old  tree.  One  solitary  Indian  was  seen  stalking  on 
the  beach,  and  the  whole  scene  presented  the  most  wild 
and  savage  appearance,  and,  to  my  mind,  augured  very 
unfavorably.  We  pulled  in  with  the  casks  in  tow, 
seven  men  being  in  each  boat ;  when  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  beach,  the  boats'  heads  were  put  to  sea- 
ward, when  the  Indian  came  abreast  of  us.  Addressing 
him  in  S{)anish,  1  inquired  if  water  could  be  procured, 
to  which  he  replied  in  the  affirmative.  I  then  displayed 
to  his  view  some  gewgaws  and  trinkets,  at  which  he 
appeared  perfectly  delighted,  and,  with  many  signs  and 
gestures,  invited  me  on  shore.  Thrusting  my  pistols 
into  ray  belt,  and  buckling  on  my  cartridge-box,  I  gave 
orders  to  the  boats'  crews,  that  in  case  they  discovered 
any  thing  like  treachery  or  surprise,  after  I  had  gotten  on 
shore,  to  cut  the  water-casks  adrift,  and  make  the  best 
of  their  way  on  board  the  prize.  As  soon  as  I  had 
jumped  on  shore,  I  inquired  if  there  were  any  live  stock, 
such  as  fowls,  &c.,  to  be  had.  Pointing  to  a  hut  about 
thirty  yards  from  the  boats,  he  said  that  the  stock  was 
there,  and  invited  me  to  go  and  see  it.  I  hesitated,  sus- 
pecting some  treachery ;  ^;owever,  after  repeating  my 
order  to  the  boats'  crews,  j.  proceeded  with  the  Indian, 
and  when  within  about  half  a  dozen  yards  of  the  hut, 
at  a  preconcerted  signal,  (as  I  supposed,)  as  if  by  magic, 
at  least  one  hundred  Indian:*  rushed  out,  with  the 
rapidity  of  thought.  I  was  knocked  down,  stripped  of 
all  my  clothing  except  an  inside  flannel  shirt,  tied  hand 
and  foot,  and  then  taken  and  secured  to  the  trunk  of  a 
large  tree,  surrounded  by  about  twenty  sqnaws,  as  a 
guard,  who,  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three,  bore  a 
most  wild  and  hideous  look  in  their  appearance.  The 
capture  of  the  boats'  crews  was  simultaneous  with  ray 
own,  they  being  so  mttch  siu'prised  and  confounded  at 
the  stratagem  of  the  Indians,  that  they  had  not  thej 
power,  or  presence  of  mind,  to  pull  oft'. 

After  they  had  secured  our  men,  a  number  of  them| 
jumped  into  the  boats,  pulled  off,  and  captured  the  prize, 
without  meeting  with  any  resistance  from  those  on  board,! 


risible  to  the 
the  trunk  of 
1  stalking  on 
iie  most  wild 
siugtired  very 
sks  in  tow, 
ithin  a  short 
e  put  to  sea- 
Addressing 
be  procured, 
len  displayed 
It  which  he 
iiy  signs  and 
g  my  pistols 
B-box,  I  gave 
y  discovered 
iiad  gotten  on 
lake  the  best 
)on  as  I  had 
ny  live  stocii, 
)  a  hut  about 
he  stock  was 
lesitated,  sus- 
repeating  my 
L  the  Indian, 
[s  of  the  hut, 
5  if  by  magic, 
ut,  with  the 
I,  stripped  of 
lirt,  tied  hand 
tie  trunk  of  a 


pst^^^Zt  Z'Z^h  wh  "  r •  ^  'hen  c«. 
dismautle  her,  by  cutiiLT"' Jf""  'hey  proceeded  ,o 
and  taking  out  W    f.il      **'''  '™'n  'he  bolt-ron«, 

wpes  on  shore  from  the  ZL        "  '"""S  done,  thev  led 

By  this  time  the  priratZ  h!!i  '^    '^^  *"<•  <^'y- 
boldly  in  and  anch,fred  w^h^.tfr,"  °"  '^'^k  stood 
beach;  they  ,he„  very  fool  shI  J  f   ""?  S"""''*"  of  the 
ade,b«t  every  shot  was^„   iL'^Zn'^^-r'  ''"'"'  ■=«"""- 
the  Indians,  and  pariiculaZ^h     "'    ^""'  exasperated 
possession   of  my  pis  o?s     p,l^  °"«  '"h"  had  taken 
«a«r  him  ereepiugV^^X  me  t  ,"^  ""^  "5"'  "'"""d,  I 
»d  «rhe„  about  five  yardroff  hl^'^iPT' P'««"«ed! 
But  as  Providence  had  ,m  ,1°  k.*^  P""ed  the  trigKer 
capped;  at  the  same  mome,*^"!   I. "t '•"'^  «•  ">«  pS 
fell  a  few  yards  from  us   Jh     '^u'  "■"■»  "»«  Prirai,»r 
h's  feet,  cocked  the  pTstol'^rf'fi    "fe  Indian  rose  upon 
toning  round  with  a  mn«       '''"'  "  «  'he  privatTr" 
Pjstol  with  great  ^tlen™    LTh"^'  ^''"'  h«  'hrew  the' 
\'^»  w«h  a  large  sSCi^^'J^'^  "7  head,  and 
perfeclly  senseless.     ThisTi  „h     "    ""^  "'""  I  was 
Nidnot  recover  m» -^      ■  ^houi  lo  o'clock  nr,^  t 

"bout  4  o'clock "n^'hra?,"""*^'  ""'i'.  as  T^„;'",ed      » 
were  four  squaws  sit.  ng  ar^urr     '  '^/--^d  7h^™ 
ler appearance, (havin-onm,""^'  °'"'  "^ whom,  froni 
h  'he  wife  'oV  a  cWef  "TT''^^'''  "»<>  '""keTs^ 
IT  "/'t'wning  consciousness    h     •''  '^^  discovered 
•Sourd,  the  eonfents  of  whfl'        P''^'«*'"ed  me  with 
H  mixed  with  water    she  fiLl''*r''  '"  ">«  Indian 
C™'  f  '  <=»»  safelV  aver  tl^,'*'  ""''  'h«n  gave 
beferage,  before  or  since  Zhd       '.  "^"^  •'""I'  any 
I  Nigh,  was  now  coS»  o^'^\f:'^"^«''  ^""h  relii 
Ner  way,  and  was  standTn»^ff     I  P"^^teei-  had  got 

h»  flying  a.  her  mS^'^eal  The  ,™'  T""  "  ^^S  °f 
f  b  whom  I  had  first  convpj^  treacherous  Indian 
Wigna,,,  s„i,e,  gave  meX  H^l^r^'  ^nd.  with  a 
f  «  o'clock  'hat  night  we^;,!"!",'"  ""^''^ "ee  that 
I  '  "®™  '»  he  roasted  and  eaten. 


0 


-.•t»l««.«i.,-JSWliWi,^4  ,^.1, 


206 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAlf. 


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k:  it" 


'^   Accordingly,  at  sunset  I  was  unloosed  and  conducted 
by  a  band  of  about  half  a  dozen  savages  to  the  spot, 
where  [  found  the  remainder  of  our  men  firmly  secured 
by   having   their  hands  tied   behind  them,  their  legs 
lashed  together,  and  each  man  fastened  to  a  stake  that 
had   been   driven   into   the   ground    for  that   purpose. 
There  was  no  possibility  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  these 
miscreants.     As  soon  as  night  shut  in,  a  large  quantity 
of  brushwood  was  piled  around  us,  and  nothing  now 
was  wanting   but   the   fire   to  complete   this   horrible 
tragedy.     The  same    malicious  savage  approached   ns 
once  more,  and  with  the  deepest  malignity  taunted  us 
with  our  coming  fate.     Having  some  knowledge  of  the 
Indian  character,  I  summoned  up  all  the  fortitude  of 
which  I  was  capable,  and  in  terms  of  defiance  told  him 
that  twenty  Indians  would  be  sacrificed  for  each  one 
of  us  sacrificed  by  him.    1  knew  very  well  that  it  would 
not  do  to  exhibit  any  signs  of  fear  or  cowardice ;  and, 
having  heard  much  of  the  cupidity  of  the  Indian  char- 
acter, I  offered  the  savage  a  large  ransom  if  he  would 
use  his  influence  to  procure  our  release.     Here  the  con- 
versation was  abruptly  broken  off  by  a  most  hideous! 
yell  from  the  whole  tribe,  occasioned  by  their  having 
taken  large  draughts  of  the  rum,  which  now  began  to 
operate   very  sensibly  upon  them;  and,  as  it  will  be 
seen,  operated  very  much  to  our  advantage.    This  thirst 
for  rum  caused  them  to  relax  their  vigilance,  and  we 
were  left  alone  to  pursue  our  reflections,  which  werej 
not  of  the  most  enviable  or  pleasant  character.    A  thou- 
sand melancholy  thoughts  rushed  over  my  mind.    Herol 
I  was,  and,  in  all  probability,  in  a  few  hours  I  shouldl 
be  in  eternity,  and  my  death  one  of  the  most  horriblej 
description.     "Q,"  thought  I,  "how   many  were  thej 
entreaties  and  arguments  used  by  my  friends  to  deter  mej 
from  pursuing  an  avocation  so  full  of  hazard  and  peril.f 
If  1  had  taken  their  advice,  and  acceded  to  their  solici-j 
tations,  in  all  probability  I  should  at  this  time  have  beeq 
in  the  enjoyment  of  much  happiness."     I  was  arous 
from  this  reverie  by  the  most  direful  screams  from  thd 


""   OK    ,HB    0CM„,, 

iinjted  voices  of  the  o,i.„i     .   ^ 

i,  Ihe  ground  with  toi„ahaw^'^!f  "*"'  '^  «"«'«hed  on 
I  skulls ;  and  many  otiipr.  .  u  '*'''  '"'P'aiited  in  theh^ 
I;  "dead  drnnk."     Thi,"'' f  ">«  common' phrase  is,  ve' 

I  course  they  bad  forRotten  .hi        '^"*"  benumbed,  of 
-ay  be    the  Indian^rVhJm  T'^'^  '"i*""'  "'-  »',  U 
conferred  with  the  others  «T,h    '"'"P"!*''  "^"""n  had 
«pare  our  li,es  until   Ih.        ^^^  "°  "Joib*  agreed  to 
W.er.  of  pain'aVferroTT'"^-,,"    *«  «  "ight 
ai.x.ous  suspense;  and  when  th?  """•"  »''  «"«  "os  ; 
ion  my  vision,  I  felt  an  indei.l.M™'"*  ''''»'"  ''™ke 
,  ""do.  as  I  bad  fully  m^d"  u^  i       '"  *"'°"''"'  "^  grat- 
l«««"ous,  that  long  bef^  .hi"^- '"  "^  ""ind,  the  night 
Nifping  the  sl4  of  deifh^'T  '  '''""'''  ^ave  been 
when  the  morning  lighrbro  J7"t  "  P'"'"''e  sight" 

uman  beings  stripyfakedfwth  ;<,'•''  1°  ^^^   '*«'«y 
Iterated,  and  the  bLd  S» 7       ""u  ""  ''*^'"  <=•«  and 
tor  hands  and  feet  tied  rrt^fr™  "**"  *<»"«'s;  with 
«es,  with  brushwo^''';;?^^  ^T  ^r  '"'«'«»'«'    » 
every  moment  to  be  thi^, t,,"'   M**  f"?'  «*P«"»>S 
Occasion  can  be  better  itnS^^ned  jh  ^a  '^*''"8»  on  thi! 
'  '1  say,  that  I  had  giv"mi   t"  ^^"^  i  suffice 
K^"y.  -^^igned  ™fseff  to'^^a  h""'^  "^  "^ape,  and 
I»f'h9  liquor  bad  in  some  d^trl  ''®"  *''«  '"mes 

llienumbed  senses  of  tl«.  f.    ^    "  ""'™  "ff  f'-om   the 
jpr^ched  us,  and,  for  fhelTf'  ""''L ''™^  «""   "^ 
fcorraad  me  that'the  trite  Cd  1"?"'  'I'^  ^"^  '"*aa; 
Pey  then  cast  off  the  l7«v       ^'^^  ">  ™nsom  us 
N.and,  Wth  our  hands  stmf  '^'T  """  "'"'''"^  and" 
fem  to  the  beach.     Then  Inotf  r"  H  ^i ''T'^  "»  before 
invaieer  was  out   of  Sr ,  f  ^ifficulty  arose ;  the 

[»"»"».  To  satiate  the  tilis'h"!^  ''f'""'  "^came 
¥  nm  on  the  beach  wl.il.  ,l  T'"*'  "'"y  obliged  us 
l^ws  after  us.  For'  my  In  7  'f  ^^^  "■*''  P"'^'""'! 
WmiDbed   that  I   couW   .        F^'  ™y  limbs  were  » 

Hved  to  stand  ..m^d  '^[^IL''''"'  ""^  '  «™'y 
I  ■«  laK.  the  worst  of  it,  which 


i 

* 


208 


LtfB    ON   THS    OCEAN. 


r: 
I" 

Oil 

c 


* 


.^     .1 


•ill 


i 


:..ir.» 
./»  • 

Si  ;^3 


41 

c, 
I. 


was  the  best  plati  I  could  have  adopted  j  for,  when  they 
perceived  that  I  exhibited  no  signs  of  fear,  not  a  single ' 
arrow  was  discharged  at  me.     Fortunately,  before  they 
grew  weary  of  this  sport,  to  my  great  joy  the  privateer 
hove  in  sight.     She  stood  boldly  in,  with  the  flag  of 
truce  flying,  and  the  savages  consented  to  let  one  man 
of  their  own  choosing  go  ofl"  in  the  boat  to  procure  the 
stipulated  ransom.     The  boat  returned  loaded  with  ar* 
tides  of  various  descriptions,  and  two  of  our  men  were 
released.     The  boat  kept  plying  to  and  from  the  priva- 
teer, bringing  with  them  such  articles  as  they  demand* 
ed,  until  all  were  released  except  myself.     Here  it  may 
be  proper  to  observe,  that  the  mulatto  man  who  had 
been  selected  by  the  Indians  performed  all  this  duty 
himself,  not  one  of  the  privateer's  crew  daring  to  hazard 
their  lives  with  him  in  the  boat.     I  then  was  left  alone, 
and  for  my  release  they  required  a  double  ransom.    I 
began  now  seriously  to  think  that  they  intended  to 
detain  me   altogether.      My  mulatto  friend,  however, 
pledged  himself  that  he  would  never  leave  me. 

Again,  for  the  last  time,  he  sculled  the  boat  off.     She 
quickly  returned,  with  a  larger  amount  of  articles  than 
previously.     It  was  a  moment  of  the  deepest  anxiety, 
for  there  had  now   arrived   from  the  interior  another 
tribe,  apparently  superior  in  point  of  numbers,  and  elated 
with  the  booty  which  had  been  obtained.     They  de- 
manded a  share,  and  expressed  a  determination  to  detain 
me  for  a  larger  ransom.     These  demands  were  refused, 
and  a  conflict  ensued  of  the  most  frightful  and  terrific 
character.     Tomahawks,  knives,  and  arrows,  were  usedB^g^^"'  - 
indiscriminately,  and  many  an  Indian  fell  in  that  bloody  ■jijgjjg 
contest.     The  tomahawks  were  thrown  with  the  swift- ■g^ijQ^ 
ness  of  arrows,  and  were  generally  buried  in  the  skull ■ng^gj.jjj 
or  the  breast ;  and  whenever  two  came  in  contact,  withMju^j  ^ 
the  famous  "Indian  hug,"  the  strife  was  soon  over  withBgcg^gjjgj 
either  one  or  the  other,  by  one  plunging  the  deadlyLene  tii' 
knife  up  to  the  hilt  in  the  body  of  his  opponent ;  n^^lelectriciti 
were  the  poisoned  arrows  of  less  swift  execution,  fo«ainted  a 
wherever  they  struck,  the  wretched  victim  was  quicklfF        ' 


in 

of 

cui 

me 

scr< 

the 

kne 

wh( 

I  WJ 

witli 

the  ( 

ease 

me  ii 

us  of 

and, : 

I  had 

hung 

ashar 

especi 

Rushii 

info  tl] 

after 

gotten 

methoc 

ress,  w, 

The 

movemi 

boldly  < 

utesshe 


I] 


r,  when  they 
not  a  single 
r,  before  they 
the  privateer 
1  the  flag  of 
let  one  man 

0  procure  the 
ided  with  ar* 
lur  men  were 
m  the  priva- 
they  demand* 
Here  it  may 
lan  who  had 
all  this  duty 
iug  to  hazard 
^vjs  left  alone, 
e  ransom.  I 
'  intended  to 
nd,  however, 
i  me% 
)oat  off.     She 

articles  than 
}pest  anxiety, 
terior  another 
ers,  and  elated 
i.  They  de- 
ition  to  detain 
were  refused, 
il  and  terrific] 
Bvs,  were  used 
in  that  bloody  | 
ith  the  swift- 
L  in  the  skull  I 

contact,  with 
oon  over  witlil 
ig  the  deadly! 
)pponent;  notl 
sxecution,  for,! 

1  was  quicklyl 


t»«    ON   THB    OCEAN.  ^^ 

in  elernitv.     T  sh^u  ^  * 

«^«ha.ho'ur;  So^hlltZ '^'''I^Mnl  ""bari.v 
currence  «m  ,he  whde  Se  f^'-l^'^'^  ."»oe  iTZ 
me,  — the  savage  veil  of  .h.  '"""g'nation  is  befom 

creams  of  thel,„iSs.s,if*- ''"*'•<«'?.  ""^  the  dS 
fhe  height  of  Z^„^^  ""Lf"t '»  «y  eaii  fe 
Imev,  belonged  to  the^^l  .",*""  ^"^'">  chief,  who  I 
v^ho  gave  «f  the  drSJtTme 'rf^  '''*  "•«  y°'">e  ^Ww 
I  ^»s.  The  boat  h^'b  "^-T"  *°  «''e  beach  wS 
with  her  head  off  ft  «  T  'V^'harged,  and  was  IWn^ 
'he  chief,  he  caught  me  „?^' .«?''«"  ^r  'i'^XA 
ease  a,  if  i  ^^  ^e„^«  "  P  «  h"  arms  with  as  much 

me  m,  and  then,  with  a  m5.    "^*^  *"  'he  boat,  threw 
"»  off.    PortunateTther^  w."*^^'^"  8«*»'"»  S 

I  had  to  the  oar.    It  w..;u   ?    'h«  remain  nit  str»n<»k 
kong  «pon  the  iext  X„  ^  '?"  *'^'"''  »»  «fe*  or  "SS 
a  share  of  the  bZy,  .herva^""''"-     »'«'PPo^ted  o* 
esp^  ally  when  thiy  saw  ?Zr't  *»«'«  with  ^, 
Rushing  to  the  beachf  about  »J^  eluded  their  g3' 
7  the  other  boatrwhich  "Ll  dT"  "'""^  themK 
^r  us ;  but  fortunately,  in  thS^^^^P'-'^^  ""d  PuUed 
Sotten  the  muskets,  and  bein»      """^  "•«?  had  for- 
method  of  rowing,  of^ourt^^  ""acquainted  with  the 

«»,  which  enablii  us  ,nXi    ''  '""^*  """  "■"'e  Pr^! 
The  privateer,  haling  mcease  „„,  distance.       ^  * 

«»;ements,  W  S^"„^2'y  watched  all  these 
eldly  on  toward  the  beach  and  .'^'"r'  ^"e^''  «o^ 
jUtes  she  lay  between  us  and  tS^  i"^''"  "««  ^"^  mm- 
Jeavy  fi^  of  musketry  amojl  ,1"*"'''  discharging  a 
Nh  excitement  of  my  feen^^,h*.T-    ^"<=''  ^as  !he 
N  how  I  gained  the  primS  tV  "^'""^y  ""oUeot!     • 
Kertheless,  though  I  Z  weak  w.'^h  .?"^  '  "«»  ^^d. 
"•fMvage  treatmlnt.-mv^ff.h'?"'  ""^  '"^  of  blood, 
Khed  with  the  piercingC^^f'  benumbed,  and  body 
Nene  mshing  through  mv^n^^  the  sun,_,he  whole 
fencity.  I,  unmalned  and  i^l  "'*  *«  ««lcri«y  of 
f^K  and^fe,,  ^ensei::,'^^^"^"''^  «'  '•  ' 


it 


^m 


4W? 


yv^     210    *'»*f*^» 


c 

i.. 

•<» 
•wi 

c: 


d..i 


I 


■I  I 


■iJ) 

c: 
I. 

■>»      ...IB 


■  .■  ■   ■' 

Ic.  < 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

LKATB   THE    PRIVATEER,  AND   SAIL   POR   TUB  UNITED   STATES  —» 

ENTER  ON  BOARD  A  LETTER   OP  MARQUE CAPTURED  BY  THE 

ENGLISH RECAPTURED   BY   THE   PAUL  JONES   PRIVATEER  — 

ENTER   AS    PRIZE-MASTER   —HER  OFFICERS   AND    CREW. 

The  usual  restoratives  and  care  were  administered, 
and  I  soon  recovered  from  the  effects  of  my  capture. 
Some  of  the  others  were  not  so  fortunate ;  two  of  them 
especially  were  cut   in   a  shocking  manner,  and  the 
others  were  so  dreadfully  beaten  and  mangled  by  clubs, 
that  the  greatest  care  was  necessary  to  save  their  lives. 
My  dislike  for  the  captain  had  very  much  increased 
since   that   unhappy,   disastrous  affair;    it  would   not 
have  occurred  if  he  had  taken  my  advice,  as  his  illib< 
erality,  and  the  hints  he  threw  out  in  reference  to  my 
courage,  were  the  causes  of  my  suffering  and  the  sad 
result  of  the  enterprise.     I  determined,   therefore,  in 
conjunction  with  the  second  lieutenant,  to  leave  the 
privateer  as  soon  as  we  arrived  in  Carthagena,  to  which 
port  we  were  now  bound.     We  soon  had  a  .good  pretext 
for  putting  this  determination  into  execution ;  for,  two 
days  after  the  affair  with  the  Indians,  we  fell  in  with  a 
Spanish  schooner,  and,  for  the  first  time  since  leaving 
Carthagena,  a  commission  and  flag  of  the  latter  place 
were  produced  by  Captain  S.     Under  this  commission 
and  flag  he  captured  the  schooner,  being  deaf  to  every 
remonstrance  that  was  made  to  him  by  us.     The  prize 
was  manned,  and  ordered  to  Carthagena,  where  shej 
arrived  two  days  after  our  entrance  into  that  port.    The  i 
second  lieutenant  and  myself  immediately  demanded 
our  discharge,  and  share  of  prize  money,  which  were 
granted,  when  we  received  eighteen  hundred  dollars  each,  | 
as  our  part  of  the  captures.    With  these  funds  we  pur- 


chased  a  fine  copnered   «nK 

getting  a  freight  A^  I    ^'''»**<»ne''»   and  succeed«H    • 

about  a  week  i'i  sredfTn^r:  '^'  "^^^^  ^"^^^^^^  ^ 

the  igno^iniouTratroATrnfe  T'  -?«-"«  tj 

We  arrived  at  New  Orleans  «r/  ^'*'  '^''^^^  »«•«• 
days,  without  accident  orrnL*^'  ^  P««^ge  of  eleven 
excitement,  as  the  news  of    u  ^""P'^^"'     "ere  all  12 
%ato    by   the   Cons  Ituln  VaT"''  ""i  '^'  «"«''^^ 
Three  large  privateers  were  fi^r     ■^"'*  *^«««    received 
mand.rs  of  which  verv  Ll      "^  °'"'  ^^^"^  the  com-'    • 
out  to  enter  on  board    but  Th^/"^  °^"^«  ^^ere  thro°^n 

"d  Spanish  i„flue„  e  ¥h« '''  *"«  ^"•'yod  by  pfen^fc 
'hese  people  u„ive^„/i^!  """"^'^  and  cus.omTrf 
»e»'ed,oami„d,  J„P'«7'6d;  consequently,  p^. 

E . f^^ccP^  «he  greatest  de„rto?r"'  '•«8'"'«ion  of       . 
though,  m  my  travels    I  had  fiL     '^^gnance;  and 
ftese  people   i„   South  Amlrl  *^"'T">' ''««"  among 

ecome  acquainted,  in  somrdTg^U'tith' r"^«-   "^ 
Yft  I  could  never  recnn^ii»  fu      '  '^'"'  ""eir  habits 
mt.ons  from  those  ^rincipL  t  ""^-^'y-narked  dS 
pvalent  in  the  other ''state/tdlitr "of  m'  ^'^  ^ 
S     ^^^  consequence  was  tl«,  i  {  '*""'"'  Amer- 

Md,  as  we  could  find  no  e,;!.  """"^  ''^came  weary 
embraced  a  most  ad™n?  *"P'oyment  for  our  vessel  T 
tetter  of  marq"e,  bounTlT"^  "*"  "^  "«'  officHf  a 
•"fettling  the  busTness  of  ^hr**?" *•  ^° «"«  '^as^os? 
»<>  as  he  had  also  procured  ah  T"  *'"'  ""X  fr'cnd 
»f  attorney  to  a  meS«  of  hi/h^'  **  S'"^  »  Po^« 
foMis  during  onr  absence  *''  '^^Pcctabili.y,  to  act 

'«ad;;or^se?w^ri:'er'it^'r:«'^™arq„ebein/ 

;  woe,  an  on  board,  we  cast 


«*  -^ii/mm^aukttaii^^,,. 


212 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


11    ' 


c 

I" 


W!     4;  -J 


•»!, 

kU 


krii 


■ill  -'"'•'• 

■Ml  ■^l 


off  from  the  "  Levee,"  dropped  down  the  river,  and  on  the 
12th  went  out  of  the  "north-east  pass,"  and  discharged 
our  pilot.  This  vessel  was  a  schooner  of  three  hundred 
tons'  burden,  Baltimore-built,  and  of  the  most  beautiful 
symmetrical  proportions ;  she  mounted  ten  guns,  with  a 
crew  consisting  of  thirty  men.  Our  commander  was  a 
native  of  New  Orleans,  a  good  seaman,  possessing,  at  the 
same  time,  great  affability  of  manners  and  great  decision 
of  character.  The  second  officer  was  an  old  American 
seaman,  rough  in  his  exterior,  yet,  at  the  same  time, 
frank,  open,  and  generous,  with  a  frame  and  constitution 
that  seemed  to  defy  the  hardships  of  a  sea  life.  The 
crew  were  a  fine  set  of  able  seamen,  and  in  such  a  craft 
I  promised  myself  as  much  comfort  as  could  be  expected 
apart  from  the  danger  of  capture  and  the  perils  of  the  sea. 
Nothing  material  transpired  until  we  reached  the 
Maranilla  Reef,  when,  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  we  fell 

fwith  an  English  frigate.   Fortunately  for  us,  we  were 
the  windward,  or  she  would  have  crippled  us,  being 
within  gun-shot.     All  sail  was  made  on  the  schooner; 
the  chase  continued  throughout  the  whole  day ;  and 
at  sunset  we  had  not  gained  in  distance  more  than 
one  mile  ,*  the  reason  of  this,  however,  was  owing  to  a 
strong  breeze  which  obliged  us  to  "  reef  down,"  the 
frigate  carrying  top-gallantsails  during  the  whole  day. 
When  night  set  in,  under  its  cover  we  altered  our  course, 
and  eluded  the  vigilance  of  the  enemy,  for  in  the  morn- 
ing nothing  was  to  be  seen  from  the  mast-head.     This 
was  the  first  chase  ,*  and,  although  I  had  great  confidence 
in  the  judgment  and  ability  of  Captain  N.,  as  a  schooner- 
sail^,   yet   I   had  not  so  much  in  the  sailing  of  the 
schooner ;  but  was  informed  by  the  captain  that  her  best  I  j 
play  was  before  the  v/ind.     It  was  not  long  before  we 
had  a  fair  trial  of  her  speed  in  that  way  j  for  on  the  25th, 
at  8  in  the  morning,  we  fell  in  with  an  English  sloop-of- 
war,  about  two  miles  to  the  windward.   As  there  was  no 
^.possibility  of  escaping  her  on  a  wind,  it  blowing  a  strong 
breeze  at  the  time,  we  kept  away  right  before  the  wind, 
so  as  to  bring  the  sails  of  the  sloop-of-war  all  on  one 
mast ;  in  this  way,  we  beat  her  easily  without  setting 


!r,  and  on  the 
d  discharged 
uree  hundred 
lost  beautiful 
guns,  with  a 
ander  was  a 
;ssing,  at  the 
^reat  decision 
)ld  American 
3  same  time, 

constitution 
a  life.  The 
.  such  a  craft 
[  be  expected 
lis  of  the  sea. 
reached  the 

21st,  we  fell 
'  us,  we  were 
led  us,  being 
he  schooner; 
»le  day;  and 
)  more  than 
\  owing  to  a 

down,"  the 

whole  day. 
d  our  course, 
in  the  morn- 
-head.  This 
at  confidence 
s  a  schooner- 
ailing  of  the 
that  her  besti 
ig  before  we 
•  on  the  25th, 
;lish  sloop-of- 
there  was  no 
wing  a  strong 
3re  the  wind, 
r  all  on  one 
thout  setting 


^'^«    ON    THE    OCEAN.  „:_ 

our  squaresail.     I„  thi^    ,.  "^^^ 

dence  in  the  speed  of  It  ^\  '^*^°"^  <^^^e,  our  confi 
strengthened.  "^        ""^  ^^'^  ^^^^^oner  became  Very  mnl' 
The  weather  now  K  ^ 

continual  westerlv  <^]  ^^^^^^   boisterous,  with  «i«, 

'^otzfZTs  r„  :r--  ^- "«» vi  r 

l^  often  the  s^metbin"t![  ^  P'T'  "''  ™nvass,  anH 
■he  conditio,  of  the  fo^^fc'  *""'"■""  •^^S^W 
had  usually  ,0  ..,„„  i„~';jf«  s«ch,  that  the  men 

«n  English  seventv-fo,r  .K       '■'''8^«.w«fellan  wiA 
'«g  to  on  the  starS'^:;,^ ""'  "  ""«  ""««»  of  usX 
her,  U  was  necessary  "S  J^P'^^'  'o  get  ele«  S' 
b«'er  w.„d  than  thj  se^S^r  wh  ""l"""*'  ""'""'g* 
fril,     '**''*^  '•  but  another  diffi     f  '*"^'"  *°«"  dropT 
fngate  was  seen  broad  uiv»wfc  ^'"'"j'  "ow  arose- a 

mdent  that  our  sittiation  w»=         ?^  eanvass.     It   „„ 
l»re  away  before  the  w^L        *  ""•'"*'  one ;  for  if  ^ 

»<*  the  seventy-fonr  T„H ' ""  !""*'  "eoessaWly  c'iIT,? 

'^yiye,  .he^f„^^Tff;^^''''^;»'''heT„? 

l»'nts,  and,  if  possibte,  ^s"!,'  JJ"'  ^ ''^^P  «*ay  toZ 

"ity-four.  Setting  evMv \f^   f  ^  windward  of  the  se» 

2f  bear,  ca4ni;7hX'r:r,*«'''e  s^hooZ' 
She  became  now  sn  i»k  &"nwales  to  the  vr^^t^ 

'  tr  '"^  ^  «--:&«  «;«'.  it  -s  nectsaTylS 
,  *ately  performed ;  and  to^.'  ^'^  ^"'"^  was  imme- 
M'.ded  over  the  tr^mil""  "°  ™»''  satisfaction  It 

r%t--'"°^-rto''ir^t:tT:„^ 


214 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


c 
c 

f!! 

i.. 

I" 

«.' 
^) 

mi 

■Ml 


■.»•■  •• 
'»<»   .111 

'eft  • 


:;;i» 


^ 


■■I  ■■=*'l 


juncture,  another  sail  was  made  on  our  starboard  bow, 
standing  for  us  on  the  larboard  tack.     No  alternative 
was  now  left  us,  but  to  cross  the  bows  of  the  seventy- 
four,  and  take  the  chance  of  her  fire.     It  was  the  work 
of  a  few  minutes,  as  we  had  closed  in  with  her,  and  it 
became  evident  that  we  should  not  pass  more  than  half 
gun-shot  off.     The  seventy-four,  perceiving  our  predica- 
ment, kept  away  ;  but  it  was  too  late  ;  she  was  now  on 
our  quarter.     We  received  her  fire  without  damage,  and 
in  the  next  ten  minutes  had  a  reefed  squaresail  set,  and 
our  noble  craft  was  running  off  at  the  rate  of  twelve 
knots.     It  became  now  a  stern-chase,  for  already  had 
the  vessel  to  windward,  which  proved  to  be  a  sioop-of- 
war,  kept  away,  and  under  a  press  of  canvass  was  bear- 
ing down  upon  our  beam.     This  was  a  hard  chase, 
for  we  soon  altered  the  bearings  of  the   frigate   and 
seventy-four ;  but  it  was  not  until  sunset  that  we  brought 
|he  sloop-of-war  in  our  wake,  about  two  miles'  distance 
astern.     The  next  morning,  the  gale  had  increased,  and 
.the  sea  had  risen  to  such  a  height,  that  scudding  be- 
came dangerous ;  it  was,  therefore,  determined  to  bring 
the  schooner  up  to  the  wind.     No  evolution  on  board 
of  a  vessel,  especially  in  a  sharp  schooner,  is  fraught 
with  so  much  hazard  as  bringing  her  to  the  wind  in  a 
heavy  gale.     The  greatest  care  is  necessary  by  watch- 1 
ing  the  rolling  seas,  which  are  generally  three  in  num- 
ber, after  which  it  is  proportionally  smooth  for  a  few 
seconds;  occasionally,  in  these  intervals,  the  wind  lulls; 
advantage  must  then  be  taken,  such  sail  as  the  vessel  J 
will  bear  must  be  set  and  well  secured,  and  then  she 
should  be  brought  to  the  wind  by  easing  her  helm  to  I 
leeward.     This  was  done  with  our  craft  in  a  seaman- 
like   manner;  a  balanced-reefed  foresail  was  set,  the! 
sheet  bowsed  taut  aft,  and  a  tackle  hooked  on  to  the 
clew,  and  it  bowsed  nearly  amidships  with  the  helml 
two  and  a  half  points  to  leeward.     She  rode  in  this  wayl 
nearly  head  to  the  sea,  forging  ahead  two  knots,  and  noti 
making  more  than  two  and  a  half  points  lee-way.    This! 
was  the  first  time  that  I  had  seen  a  craff  of  this  descrip-l 


tarboard  bow, 
fo  alternative 
the  seventy- 
was  the  work 
ith  her,  and  it 
Lore  than  half 
g  our  predica- 
e  was  now  on 
t  damage,  and 
resail  set,  and 
ate  of  twelve 
►r  already  had 
be  a  sloop-of- 
mss  was  beai- 
a  hard  chase, 
e   frigate   and 
;at  we  brought 
niles'  distance 
increased,  and 
scudding  be- 
nined  to  bring 
tion  on  board 
aer,  is  fraught 
the  wind  in  a 
ary  by  Avatch- 
three  in  nuni- 
oth  for  a  few 
he  wind  lulls: 
as  the  vessel 
and  then  she 
g  her  helm  to 
in  a  seaman- 
was  set,  the  I 
[ed  on  to  the 
irith  the  helm 
de  in  this  way 
knots,  and  not 
ee-way.    This 
3f  this  descriw 


WFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 

tion  hove  to    anH  t 
scription,  they  are  th«      '"^"^S^^g  a  craft  of  th^l  T 

that  eveninff  if  f^ii       ^^P®^*s  frustrated  »     a* 

conversation  which  i  had  ^.^ftOVhe  nigh,.     tL 
Dromo,  on  the  n\<*ut         ^^"  -^^^k  Evans  in  #k«    u- 

»persti.ions  feeling  Wt  I  ^^m  "  '"'S'     have  been  \ 
««ret  foreboding  Ltefi"''*  ■""  *ake  it  off  and  » 

■"""ling  dawn  CteTl^f*  '"''*"^-     When?he       ' 
)»"»  was  at  an  end    for^hi,, '"'"""'"  «»"«,  and  sus^ 
"■h  English  ensigns' fly  n'g'rrr."  »••!?  and  Jwo  br  gs 
»»w  impossible,  for  i,  li^    \  "'®""  Peaks.     Plight  3' 
;«» entLy  us^,:   , '  ^^'^^^  dead  eal» ;  and  SZ^ 

'hole  broadsides.      Our  I,!.i   '^    '  ""^  '»«"'y  of  their 


.  .:U«bK^i)(MiH»u,-.»M(t« 


216 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAir. 


c 
c 


T^ 


"!■>■: 


Elf 

■Ml 

■•ij, 


cr 


-2^ 


American  ensign  was  struck,  and  in  twenty  minutes 
they  had  possession  of  this  valuable  vessel  and  cargo. 
So  strong  was  my  presentiment  of  some  coming  disaster, 
that  J  had  taken  the  precaution,  during  the  night,  to 
sew  up  in  a  flannel  shirt  all  the  money  I  had,  consisting 
of  seventeen  doubloons,  and  then  put  it  on.  It  was 
well  I  did  so,  for  these  vessels  proved  to  be  three 
Guernsey  privateers.  The  ship  mounted  eighteen  guns, 
with  seventy  men ;  the  two  brigs  each  mounted  fourteen 
guns,  with  fifty  men.  After  getting  possession  of  the 
schooner,  they  robbed  us  of  almost  every  thing  they 
could  lay  their  hands  upon.  Our  crew  were  distributed 
among  the  three  vessels ;  the  captain,  myself,  and  two 
men,  were  put  on  board  the  ship.  The  schooner  was 
manned,  and  ordered  to  the  Island  c5  Guernsey ;  after 
which  the  privateers  separated,  to  cruise  on  different 
stations.  The  destination  of  the  ship,  from  what  I  un- 
derstood, was  to  cruise  on  the  coasts  of  Spain  and  Portu- 
gal. The  captain  and  myself  received  good  treatment; 
for,  after  we  had  reported  to  the  captain  of  the  privateer 
the  loss  of  our  clothing,  he  ordered  a  search  to  be  made 
for  theiii,  and  all  were  recovered,  as  they  happened  to  be 
on  board  of  the  ship.  They  were  very  much  elated 
with  their  success,  and  assured  us  that  the  first  licensed 
ship  they  fell  in  with,  we  should  be  released. 

Three  days  after  our  capture,  while  standing  on  a 
wind,  the  cry  of  "  Sail  ho !  "  was  heard  from  the  mast- 
head, bearing  on  the  lee  beam.  The  ship  was  kept  off, 
until  the  strange  sail  could  be  clearly  made  out.  It 
proved  to  be  a  large  rakish-looking  schooner,  evidently 
American  by  the  set  of  her  masts,  cut  of  the  sails,  and 
eolor  of  the  canvass.  It  was  immediately  suggested 
to  us  by  the  captain  of  the  ship  that  there  was  another 
fine  prize,  and  I  was  requested  to  look  at  her  with  the 
glass.  I  soon  discovered  that  she  was  a  man-of-war  of 
some  description,  and  intimated  as  much  to  him;  hej 
was  soon  confirmed  in  this  opinion,  for  the  strange  sail  I 
kept  her  wind,  and  manifested  no  disposition  to  get  out 
of  the  way.     Whou  the  ship  had  gotten  within  two 


mty  minutes 
ii  and  cargo, 
aing  disaster, 
the  night,  to 
id,  consisting 
on.     It  was 

to  be  three 
ighteen  guns, 
nted  fourteen 
3ssion  of  the 
f  thing  they 
re  distributed 
lelf,  and  two 
ichooner  was 
ernsey;  after 

on  different 
n  what  I  un- 
in  and  Portu- 
id  treatment ; 
the  privateer 
li  to  be  made 
ippened  to  be 
much  elated 
iirst  licensed 
)d. 

landing  on  a 
om  the  mast- 
was  kept  off, 
lade  out.  It 
ler,  evidently 
the  sails,  and 
ly  suggested 
J  was  another 
her  with  the 
lan-of-war  of 
I  to  him;  he| 
le  strange  sail  j 
ion  to  get  out 
I  within  two 


miles  of  the 


UPE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


217 


''ZarP^^'^^n.'''''^  '^'^'^  and  «ad. 

ootn  vessels  werp  nr,^ 

*  point  higher  than  the  shin  „  .""' ">e  schooner,  ivinl 
and  although  she  did  no'  f?' S""?**  »P  «o  windwJ7 
the  ship,  ye,  she  was  Z\ZT,^^  9»'««  «>  fast  m 
^tern,  exactly  in  ,he  wZZ'fy.  *??  »  ""e  and  a  hatf 
came  on ;  and  under  its  cover  .Jf  '^'^' «  '""*«•  %t. 
altered,  m  order,  if  possiWe  to^f  couraeof  the  ship  was 
I  now  perceived  that  all  „    l^"**®  "'«  one  in  pureni? 

gotten  clear  nf  *».«      i  made  sure  that  tu       l   , 

dark  and  itndy.bw  Tor*'''  '■"  *e  "igh    wi%^!^ 
•en,  there  she  llJ^^oVoZZI  '"'<^-  «^^^S 

10  US.  The  captain  of  thi  oiT  ^''  ^"^  especiallv 
schooner  would  not  engage lllf  ^.^.^^^^^  S  the 
every  advantage  was  taken  nV  .^  "^^ht;  consequentlv 
her,  but  it  was  all  inVa?n      a  f ^^^®  ^^"^  ^o  get  clear  nf 

'Wingherfor^a^^dSr*"!:-";"^  *''«  schooner  dil 


*(flP^^ 


'trnmitMitmitti.'.' 


218 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


f 

i 

%. 

h 

Kl 

fcn 

S.*;» 

mf 

;;*.* 

1      w 

'-<> 
i,-»»..  •'^ 

•►I. 

■;,r  « 

t: 

.„.  mi 

JCI 

'H!    " 

f 

»>'t  « 

1,. 

.;i.»S 

%L.. 

Si»» 

n<!i* 

Mil 

,.iW,  • 

■hi 

>ai<^ 

of  the  ship  was  sent  on  board  the  schooner.  Now,  a 
scene  of  plunder  and  robbery  was  perpetrated,  by  the 
privateer's  crew,  which  beggars  all  description ;  every 
article  of  clothing  and  stores,  which  they  could  lay  their 
hands  upon,  were  taken  without  any  ceremony.  The 
crew  were  a  perfect  set  of  desperaidoes  and  outlaws, 
whom  the  officers  could  neither  restrain  nor  command. 
Capt.  N.  and  myself  were  now  conveyed  to  the  priva- 
teer without  our  clothes,  for  we  had  shared  the  like  fate 
with  the  crew  of  the  ship,  by  having  our  trunks  broken 
open  and  robbed  of  all  their  contents. 

The  excitement  being  over,  a  prize-master  and  crew 
were  put  on  board  of  the  ship,  and  she  was  ordered  to 
the  United  States.  Capt.  N.  prevailed  with  the  captain 
of  the  privateer  to  let  him  proceed  in  her;  but  all  the 
arguments  I  could  make  use  of,  to  accompany  him,  were 
fruitless ;  so  I  concluded  to  make  the  best  of  a  bad  bar* 
gain,  and  was  induced,  by  the  persuasions  of  the  captain  j 
and  the  prospect  of  gain  held  out  to  me,  to  enter  as  prize* 
master.  The  next  cruising  ground  was  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  Western  Islands,  to  which,  with  all  possible 
despatch,  we  repaired. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  present  the  reader 
with  a  sketch  of  the  characters  of  the  men  with  whom 
I  was  now  associated.  Capt.  T.,  a  man  of  about  thirty* 
five  years  of  age,  was  a  gentleman  in  his  manners,  yet 
impatient  of  contradiction ;  bold  and  fearless;  generally 
acted  withjgreat  precipitation,  and,  consequently,  with* 
c  ut  the  excise  of  much  judgment.  Mr.  B.,  the  1st  lieu* 
tenant,  was  an  educated  man,  a  good  seaman,  cool  and! 
intrepid,  and  was  strongly  marked  with  the  protuberance 
of  cause  and  effect.  Mr.  J.,  the  2d  lieutenant,  was  about] 
thirty  years  of  age,  an  active  seaman,  with  limited  edu- 
cation, but  was  a  smart  and  enterprising  officer.  Mr.  G., 
the  3d  lieutenant,  was  a  young  man  who  did  not  seeml 
to  be  designed  for  the  perils  of  war  or  the  hardships  off 
a  sea  life ;  he  was  amiable,  but  being  limited  in  hisl 
knowl'^dge  of  seamanship,  had  very  little  confidence  inj 
himself.     I  understood,  however,  that  his  courage  wmI 


ner.  Now,  a 
trated,  by  the 
Iption ;  every 
ould  lay  their 
smony.  The 
and  outlaws, 
Lor  command, 
to  the  priva- 
l  the  like  fate 
ranks  broken 

Iter  and  crew 
as  ordered  to 
h  the  captain 
r;  but  all  the 
,ny  him.  were 
of  a  bad  bar* 
of  the  captain 
enter  as  prize- 
the  neighbor- 
th  all  possible 

snt  the  reader 
n  with  whom 
■  about  thirty- 
manners,  yet 
ess;  generally 
[uently,  with- 
I.,  the  1st  lieu- 
nan,  cool  and  j 
!  protuberance  i 
mt,  was  about  | 
1  limited  edu- 
icer.     Mr.G.,| 
did  not  seem 
!  hardships  of 
imited  in  his| 
confidence  in 
I  courage  wmI 


undoubted.     Mr  W    ih       •■•  " 

years  of  age,  had  fom^L'Vl'"^'"'^"'  «''«  about  fiftv 
"■a-l  out  of  Connect"  u^VoLT""'  °''='  ^es  "S 
«?«"gator;  but  he  Mra^  a  W  J.^'"'''  ^""^  »aman  aid 
of  anomaly,  po^essing  aoZn^^u^''^""'^  "hap.TCd 

losi  degree,  and  wouJd  ies„«  ,f  u  '  ~  ^'^'''''ous  to  the 
quire  gain.     The  prize-m.«        "'^  ""««"««'  acts  to  2 
mg  myself,)  wereT»?^  o^!^i,'«  "'  "umber,  (!ncl.^" 
<hemselves  to  be  su^,^',  °„^  Jf^  Allows,  and  'be«evld 
^  Mcept  the  caE  S       ^  ^^  '«'«"'  to  anv  on 

Iiefo™  the  cruise  was  up     Mr  P    ,°®**  <>''  commander 
-as  neither  soldier  nor'^sai"'"  h^adr'*"*"'  "^"^^^^l 

:j^.  ha  »i8ht*:;pXria^,f  »«^{^ugh  tM,*r 
of  the  privateer.     The  snri.^„         °    Captain  Bunker  " 
2 ""agination,  ^^^^^'^^'7"'''!'^'  resembledtio 
»inewhat  advanced  tay^'l"^  Shakspeare;  he  C 
l»s youth,  read  physicinf^if.    ,'"*'• '"  -he  days  of 

fte  resolved  (to  use  his  own  L         -  °^  ^^"^  of  practice 
h  plunging  into  the  turbZr^""^ *"  ^'"^  o^r  sw'm' 
Jusual  remedy  to  a  ^X '"'.V"^®"'  scenes  of  war      xr' 

K  'he  gangway  mil  r'.h«%  °"u"  ""'"""unateiy  feu 
K  «,iously ;  J^^  »»  'he  ^cfc   and  hurt  hiijsel? 


Ui 


.*■<«»  -'HmML.»mm»^im.^ 


220 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAK. 


c 

air 

I. 

*"'  , 

■ui 

f;.  ■■ 

•ill 

■Ml  "ZZ 


,■,■     !'» 


or  fractured  limb,  "because,"  he  added,  with  abroad 
grin,  "  it  is  safe  and  easy,  and  costs  nothing." 

And  now  for  the  crew ;  but  here  description  fails. 
The  English  language  is  too  poor  adequately  to  do  them 
justice.    Imagine  to  yourself,  reader,  a  company  of  eighty 
men,  selected  from  the  very  Uite  and  respectable  por- 
tions of  the  lowest  sinks  located  in  the  "  Five  Points," 
"  Hook,"  and  other  places  of  like  celebrity  in  New  York. 
Here  they  were,  a  motley  crew  of  loafers,  highbinders, 
butcher  boys,  &c.  &c.     To  be  sure,  there  was,  now  and 
then,  a  good  and  true-hearted  sailor  among  them ;  but, 
"  like  angels'  visits,  they  were  few  and  far  between." 
As  it  may  well  be  supposed,  long  confinement  with  such 
a  company  as  above  described  could  not  be  an  enviable 
situation  to  a  man  of  taste ;  but  the  continual  huriy' 
scurry,  uproar,  and  excitement,  on  board  of  a  privateer, 
leave  but  a  short  time  for  reflection ;  and  furthermore, 
being  creatures  of  imitation,  we  soon  become  insensibly 
conformed  to  the  daily  habits  of  surrounding  associa> 
tions.     This  was  my  case ;  for,  although  my  better  judg- 
ment taught  me  to  despise  this  mode  of  warfare, — at 
best,  in  my  opinion,  it  is  only  a  systematic  method  to 
plunder  unoffending  men,  —  yet  I  soon  became  in  some 
degree  reconciled  to  my  situation. 


i.. 


:>  iKfi: 


y^ro 


some 
breeze 
days  ti 
after  a 
I  «g  hei 
I  rich  at 
pinens, , 
[States, 
go  sold 
pas  the 
J^he  moj 
(crew ; 


with  abroad 


'If 


221 


3came  in  some 


CHAPTER   XX 

CAPTCRB   OP  I»II12«!8  — CBA««. 

tee?L?:eS^rc:t^^^^^^  ''  ^^^--»'-,  the  pri.a. 
«?on  of  the  same  d/y^^hf  iT^""^  «»  ^heS^tl^ 
rjj  the  group  of  the^Cres  or  W  "?  ^^.'^^^^^^^'^  o^e 
third  day  after  cmutr,        '    '  »V^estern  Islands     ^^1 

«ance;  she  was  manned,' J*"  ?P""^<J 'without  re- 
States.     On  the  afternoon  of^h  °"'""*'*  '»  '"«  Onit"d 
»aU  English  schooner  bold  1„T"  ^?^'  "">  *<>^kt 
^"ig  then  in  sight.    We  li    '"J^'-^^'™.  the  island 
P«H«g  them  all  on  LT Iff'^*^*^  w  prisoner,  and 
for  the  island.    Prom  S^e  l^>  ^^'^'  "*«?  "'^^ed  awav 
-e obtained  info^Zi^ ZTtVi'""^  ^"^"  «=''~«^ 
ranean  fleets  of  merehantmen  .mnf"  ''°"  ""^  ^editeri 
hd  sailed  from  England  "w^  T«^  ^  '"■""S  <«»'oy, 
fter  ridding  ourselves  „f  the  ^  ""  '"»«'  *e«fore 
tisbon  station,  so  that  if  rT  .ff'^''«re,  to  get  on  the 

»«.e  of  the  flC    a1;  dTs  wl,r  •"'«"'  '"•«^P« 
Jrceze,  brought  us  up  to  onr  1  ■       *  ^^'""e  westerly 
liays  thereafter,  we  fell  in  vv!,i.  T'"^  S^und.     Three 
after  asharpac  ion  of  foriVrn^  ".  '"^^  «""^''  brig,  a^ 
Hgher.     She  wasfrom'^n!^^?''™«««<^«'^mSpZ- 
ncl.  and  valuable  cajr  ?"'''■'  ^°"'"'  to  Cadiz,  wSh  , 

States  where  she  ^ehrTrlL"^  "fl'^^  *"  ">«  Uni^' 
80  sold  for  nearly  four  hundrj  '-^"^  ""^  "^^^^  a:.d  car- 


222 


LIFE    OH  THE    OCEAN. 


f 

c 


f.,       HI  ■* 


serious  doubts  as  to  the  privateer's  sailing,  I  was  under 
the  impression  that  a  smart-sailing  man-of-war  with  any 
chance  would  capture  us,  for  she  could  not  compete 
with  the  letter-of-marque  which  I  was  last  on  board  of, 
in  point  of  sailing.  The  next  day  after  the  capture  of 
the  brig,  a  large  sail  was  made,  broad  off  on  the  star- 
board bow.  We  soon  came  up  with  the  chase,  and  she 
proved  to  be  an  American  ship  bound  to  Lisbon.  Cap- 
tain T.,  suspecting  that  she  was  sailing  under  a  British 
license,  made  the  most  diligent  search  for  it,  but  for  a 
long  time  without  effect.  At  length,  however,  the  an- 
chors were  unstocked,  and,  to  our  great  satisfaction,  we 
found  the  license  concealed  between  the  upper  and  lower 
parts  of  the  anchor-stock.  Of  course,  this  settled  her 
business ;  she  was  a  good  prize,  and  we  despatched  her 
to  the  United  States  —  all  of  the  crew,  except  the  offi- 
cers,  entering  on  board  the  privateer. 

At  daylight  in  the  morning,  December  4th,  we  fell  iD 
with  the  combined  Lisbon  and  Mediterranean  fleets: 
they  were  far  to  leeward  of  us ;  consequently  we  had 
the  advantage  of  choosing  our  position,  and  harassing 
them  under  cover  of  the  night ;  but  we  soon  perceived 
Captain  T.'s  intention  was  to  run  into  the  midst  of  the 
fleet  in  the  daytime.  Against  this  mode  of  procedure 
every  officer  on  board  remonstrated  loudly ;  the  captain, 
however,  was  obstinate ;  the  privateer  ran  down  amidst 
the  fleet,  hauled  up  alongside  of  a  large  ship,  and  engaged 
her  at  pistol-shot  distance.  Signals  were  now  made 
by  all  the  fleet  for  an  enemy.  The  convoy,  being  in 
the  van,  quickly  perceived  what  was  going  on,  and  a  I 
frigate  and  sloop-of-war  were  seen  bearing  down  upon 
us  under  a  press  of  canvass.  No  other  alternative  was 
left  but  to  run.  The  wind  being  moderate,  the  privateer  | 
was  kept  before  it,  dropping  the  frigate,  but  the  sloop  of-l 
war  gained  upon  us,  and  it  seemed  to' be  almost  certain] 
that  she  would  bring  us  to  an  action ;  but  when  with*! 
in  gun-shot,  she  let  drive  her  bow-chasers.  By  the  ini'[ 
pediment  attendant  upon  her  firing,  together  with  herl 
yawing  to  bring  her  guns  to  bear,  the  privateer  gaiiiedl 


# 


*\ 


I  was  under 
Krar  with  any 
not  compete 

on  board  of, 
te  capture  of 

on  the  star- 
hase,  and  she 
lisbon.  Cap- 
ider  a  British 

it,  but  for  a 
ever,  the  an- 
tisfaction,  we 
per  and  lower 
Is  settled  her 
3spatched  her 
:cept  the  oiii- 

Uh,  we  fell  iD 
anean  fleets: 
ently  we  had 
md  harassing 
)on  perceived 
i  midst  of  the 
of  procedure 
;  the  captain, 
I  down  amidst 
),and  engaged 
re  now  made 
ivoy,  being  in 
ing  on,  and  a 
ig  down  upon 
ilternative  was 
B,  the  privateer 
It  the  sloop  of- 
almost  certain] 
It  when  with- 
J.  By  the  im- 
Jther  with  herl 
ivateer  gained 


"'*    ON  TH«    oCAir. 


about  a  quarter  Of  a  mile     R  ^ 

advice  3  I     ^^"fidence  in   him       tT^  **^®  ^*««o  of 

in  with  her  somo  iT?  "^"^"^^sts  down      aV\       .  ^^' 

,  about  3  o'cloolr  ir»  ;u      1.    "^stant  from  it      it  «/         ® 

objec.  ofVhe  tgatf  Llr"""-     I' "p^ared  to^tZ 
"fiore.     This  WM  thl  K    f  ''^  outsailed  lier  to  r,l    ' 
1 '^"'e  time  I  ;r  oS\'i:^^^' «"««  -«  ^L^d  ri^Ve' 
'We  m  the  sailing  of  Vhl. '  "°  ^'ff«rence  was  nefcln! 

m  four  hours,  with  ,he  .ame't  '^?°"  '^  """seq^e.  ,t' 
nd  dry  ashore.      The  da«    T^'  "^  ^"•""W  be  b  ih 
Jthis  season  of  the  y^r  „  '^  '  '^"^e'^ef,  beins  short  « 

-'ny  When  n^HllZZrVZ  T  ^  «'«^«  «"" 

L.u  "'""'ng  directly  for  i>  ,„  J  ""®®'  and  as  we 
per  be  a  prize  or  a  wreck  ^.n.r  '"""^  ^*  "hould 
I  w'reclc,  unless  we  could  evade 


m 


LITE   ON  THE   OCEAN. 


t 

lib 

^  t  ■  ::> 

I'll     ■^»  "•' 

jEl:      'HI     ■ 
•hi     HfilH 

«il  ::'».« 
*ii  >■»»»* 


him  by  some  stratagem.  The  greatest  anxiety  and 
excitement  reigned  throughout  the  privateer.  The  crew 
were  packing  up  their  traps,  and  the  officers  manifested 
the  deepest  suspense:  fortunately,  the  weather  was 
cloudy ;  and,  as  night  shut  in  intensely  dark,  our  only 
chance  was  to  profit  by  it.  The  lights  were  now  all 
put  out,  and  profound  silence  enjoined.  The  frigate, 
on  account  of  the  darkness,  could  not  be  seen.  The 
privateer  was  luffed  to  on  the  starboard  tack,  every 
sail  lowered,  and  tiothing  was  to  be  seen  except  her 
hull  and  poles.  In  about  ten  minutes,  the  frigate 
appeared,  under  a  cloud  of  canvass,  about  two  hundred 
yards  from  us,  flying  away  to  leeward  like  a  race-horse. 
We  now  hauled  on  a  wind  to  the  eastward,  and  saw  no 
more  of  the  frigate.  Captain  T.  decided  to  make  a  dash 
into  the  Irish  Channel,  to  intercept  the  West  India 
fleet,  which  was  destined  to  sail  in  a  few  days,  having 
made  their  rendezvous  at  Cork.  We  obtained  this 
information  from  the  captured  brig.  A  few  days  not 
only  brought  us  to  our  station,  but  it  also  terminated  our 
cruise,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  sequel. 

On  the  morning  of  December  14th,  it  blowing  fresh 
from  the  south-west,  .vith  thick,  foggy  weather,  we  were 
in  the  midst  of  the  West  India  fleet  before  we  saw 
them,  they  having  sailed  from  Cork  the  day  previous. 
No  better  opportunity  could  be  wished  for,  to  make 
captures,  than  the  one  before  us ;  the  fog  would  some* 
times  clear  up,  and  then  shut  in  thick,  so  that  we  could 
select  any  vessel  we  chose.      Hauling   alongside  of  a 
fine  large  brig,  we  boarded  and  captured  her   in  ten 
minutes.     A  prize-master  and  crew  were  put  on  board 
of  her,  with  orders  to  remain  with  the  fleet  until  night, 
and  then  make  the  best  of  their  way  to  any  port  in  the 
United  States.     As  I   had  succeeded  in  boarding  and 
capturing  this  vessel  with  only  the  assistance  of  five 
men,  I  was  promised  the  finest   ship  in   the  fleet  by 
Captain   T.     The    promise  was   somewhat   premature, 
the  fulfilment  rather  problematical.     As  the  fog  cleared 
up,  we  selected  a  large  ship,  and  I  of  course  got  ready. 


princip, 
the  gaf 
away  t 
on  at 
quarter 


witho?"  rurth"rX'.™  ThefolV'"'  P°''«^'<>n  "f  her 
no  object  was  visible  five  varrf,"T  '*'  "'  '»  «'"«k  Zl 
lifted,  iliere  lay  «  ftisai.^  r.J     ^   distance,  and  when  i. 
:     than  a  mnsfcet^hot  off    Sh  ""''  "f'"""-*'  bo^v,  ult  mo« 
on  different  tact,  L        ^""^  qmckly  saw  us  •  h...  k  °™ 

iarboarfXr^ttS  :'?'"'''''  «"'"""?„? 
forward  division,  which  5t?'  ""''  S^^o  "s  a  taste  of  h., 

'0  cut  away  two^fte  ite"^,.""  other  damage  .h,:,' 

hour,  «  was  clearly  aierl.^r.h''''''"''^-  '"  halC 
frigate  on  a  wind.  Cawata  T  1  """i  '^^  '"«»«'led  the 
he  officers,  and  proposed  "  L  """^  ^''^  «  """ncil  w  ?h 

ha.  wastheprivateeKs°a^r„?P  "r''"™  ""'  ''i"?- 
no  doubt  could  be  entr..-     J  .*  1"al'ty— addine  ih»f 

"•«  frigate  befo^  a  wSS"!!"'  '"i!'  ^^^  «»"*^i* 
manoBuvring,  we  should  ^Je  our  i"  ""'  SJ"''  •'^  'hw 
objections  were  urged  in  fhf  P"^*-     The  strongest 

fct  lieutenant,  wh^'i':,  ?^?~P^»i.  -.P«-"K  b^ 
It  the  privateer  was  to„»  .  °  °o  "is  opinion  th«» 

thirty  minute,     411  oninT"'''  *?  """''''  be  a  prize  ta 
entii^ly  thrown  awayTZT  ""<"  "tnonstmnces  were 
?ot  ready,  tl.e  helm  pu,*^"  anT^"'":.    Every  «ui'!^~ 
was  under  a  cloud  ofZnJ:  ^  ,'"  *  <«*  minutes  she 
"o.  long  before  ol^iTTZ^f"'  ""'  ''"•<'•     '^"i 
•t  w,U  be  evident  to  everv  i^    "  «f  «gio'"s  error;  f" 
ranning  nearly  i„  a  line  fo'^„7™t"' ,""*'  "'^  ''^«>  now 
fckly  perceiving  „„'°'"*«'  L*"*  '^'ig^e.    The  lat^r 
I  "iwe  was  no  time  now  ^T^\  ''*?'  *■«'  *ind,  and  „ 
f'"  down,  and  the  privates  blrf  "''  ""«  "^Im  w« 
'he  ac,  of  doing  which    sh^  t     «■"  *°  ""«  *in<I;  ta 

«f  her  eightee„fpou„de4    whfr  "?  """"■"'  <«"«i»» 
gaff,  the  slings  ofthe  fi^!. .     i       ?'  **ay  the  fore- 
H'''  and,  to  add  to  thl  dr"*,'.  ^^  "^^^^^  our  Iowm 
»»^.vre  gave  the  frigate  the  wl^^i.""  ""''»«"nate  m" 
IPnncipa  sail,  too  h„Th  »^eather-gage  of  us —the 

W  gaff.  Th:  'nex^  dT^^  "^"^^  ''"»  ">e  oss  of 
K  the  main-topman  im  f^/'T  '"^  ««««  o* 
h  at  the  time,   the  ma  n  h„„      ™  ^'"^  a  heavy  sea 

harter  deck,  and  carr"d  a"war,h^"l  T"""'"^  "^  "•• 
I  21  •  *"  "*ay  the  bulwarks  from  tb« 


-♦•^V 


226 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


t 

€ 

■r 

■Ul 

I 


I; 


"tl  it 


wit 
^1 


hit!* 

-W,  '■ 


tafferel  to  the  gangway.  The  frigate  now  overhauled 
us  without  any  difficuhy,  and  opened  a  most  murderous 
fire,  with  the  marines.  We  were  unable  to  haul  down 
ouF  colors,  from  the  fact  of  the  topman-lift  having  been 
shot  away.  Seven  men  killed,  and  fifteen  wounded, 
lay  on  our  decks ;  and  notwithstanding  the  frigate  must 
have  perceived  that  we  were  so  much  cut  up  that  we 
had  no  command  of  the  privateer,  and  that  she  lay  like 
a  log  upon  the  water,  nevertheless,  she  poured  into  us 
her  quarter  deck  carronades,  which,  striking  us  a-mid- 
ships,  nearly  cut  our  craft  in  halves.  It  was  about  four 
hours  from  the  time  we  fell  in  with  the  frigate  until  the 
time  of  our  capture,  and  in  about  one  hour  after,  all  of 
our  crew  were  snugly  stowed  away  on  board  of  the 
frigate. 

The  prisoners  were  shoved  down  into  the  cable  tiers ; 
but  the  ofiicers,  seven  in  number,  were  politely  treated 
with  the  soft  side  of  a  plank  against  the  ward-room 
bulk-head.  We  were  robbed  of  nearly  all  our  clothing, 
and  as  roughly  used  as  if  we  had  been  pirates.  The 
prize  was  manned,  and  ordered  into  Plymouth,  where, 
to  bur  great  satisfaction,  she  never  arrived,  having  sunk 
oflf  the  Land's  End.  The  crew,  however,  were  saved  in 
the  boats. 

The  next  morning  the  cry  of  "  Sail  ho  \"  was  heard 
from  the  frigate's  mast-head  ;  in  three  hours  she  was  up 
with  the  vessel,  and,  to  our  great  mortification,  it  proved 
to  be  the  prize  brig  we  had  taken  from  the  fleet.     When 
possession  was  taken  of  her,  the  prize-master  and  nearly 
the  whole  crew  were  found  dnuik.      It  appeared  they 
did  not  make  sail  on  the  vessel  during  the  night,  and,  | 
on  being  interrogated,  the  prize-master  was  entirely  ig- 
norant of  the  position  of  the  brig.     Great  exultation  was  I 
now  manifested  by  the  officers  of  the  frigate,  and,  to  use 
their  own  expression,  they  had  now  taken  the  "Paul| 
Jones  and  his  mate." 

In  fifty  hours  the  frigate  was  at  an  anchor  in  Plym* 
outh    harbor,   and    we    were   all   put  on    board  of  a  J 
prison-ship,   with  the   exception  of  the  captain,  first! 


T  overhauled 
St  murderous 
>  haul  down 
having  been 
m  wounded, 
frigate  must 
t  up  that  we 
k  she  lay  like 
ured  into  us 
tig  us  a-mid- 
as  about  four 
;ate  until  the 
r  after,  all  of 
)oard  of  the 

e  cable  tiers ; 
litely  treated 
le  ward-room 
our  clothing, 
pirates.  The 
louth,  where, 
having  sunk 
were  saved  in 

^"  was.  heard 
rs  she  was  up 
tion,  it  proved 
fleet.  When 
;er  and  nearly 
ippeared  they 
le  night,  and, 
as  entirely  ig- 
xultation  was 
;e,  and,  to  use 
m  the  "Paul 


American  prisoners  Vas  "uf  m.n,^  ""«  ">«  ""mber  of 
became  necessary,  therefor!   ,"'*^  *°  ^^  hundred-  it 
"ease,  to  send  thi  p4^ ," ^'  ,"7'^'''  "^  'his  daily  'in 
purpose.     AccordiLC  "I     ?  I*''"'^  ^''o'ted  for  tC 
S'apleton,  near  BrS' ,  j^^"^'  "^''^ft^  ^ere  ordered  ,' 

"ompostog  these  drafts,  and  ,  ^^^  '""'  "f  <h«  number 
for  I  considered  that  anvTI         "^  ""'  »  'i"Ie  pleased 
•he  unwholesome  a*r  a7/?°"  *'»»"  >»  Preferable^' 
'»•;  Which  fi.e  hm,d'M"t„ta:  sri*"^"«"''  ""^    "  P 

/anuan,  25,  1813    "  H'h,™      '"?'"  *«■«  erammed 
toed   in   each   esoo^wt^""'"^'-/ P™""*"  eo„- 
Ifo  hundred   foot   soldilr  Th    ^T^'*'''  8"a"Jed  by 
march  was  severe,  hartnT^  ^f    ^^'^  '''■«8«'ns.     Our 
fifteen  to  tw^nty-five  mnl  J*'?™  «  <"«ance  of  from 
»"e«  broke  down  frZ  fa^.J*''-     "^J'  "^  'he  pria" 
1«  '^nsported  in  wagons      I"  '  "T^'^n'ly,  had  to 
our  jo.Mey's  end,  lbe„  wf    "  *'*>''  '"•""ght  us  to 
Pr'fon,  with  three  tho^and  ^enorn.  "*"  '"'»  «  »'™ng 
I    ^'w  prospects  now  were  inS    f"""®''- 
'"n  part,  I  had  been  Wed^'  ''  ?L°"'"y-     As  for  my 
"Changed,  which  hop^Tl"^  ""'^  ""e  hope  of  be"g 

h  I  had  nothing  t'^'ehel^ '''"""''""  ""  ""^^ 
Measmg  prospect  of  a  confinemem'^dT'""  ^"  "■«  W 

Kered  this  ^risonr'w^rmfr  ''^"•"''■'^.^hen  ,' 
l«  fur  best,  would  n'ot  last  oZ  sSot',^"" '  ">'=  »'"»' 
Reallowance  from  the  British?^,  """""s,  especially  as 
H  miserably  bad,  that    wfho^.r?^""' ^"'^  «- onfall, 

Koe,  no  man  could  7Z      w^"'  """""'  "f  ^"bl      . 
.  exist..      We  received  but  one 


« 


228 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


0:. 


i 

c 

S  •'^* 


t 


i;;  ^« 

^1     -Bklk 


pound  and  a  half  of  black  bread  per  man,  which,  when 
pressed  together,  might  be  encompassed  in  a  man's  hand. 
This,  with  a  half  of  a  pound  of  raw,  fresh  meat — the 
bones  being  always  included  in  the  weight  —  was  the 
whole  allowance  for  twenty-four  hours.  I  have  often 
weighed  my  allowance  of  meat,  after  it  was  boiled,  and 
it  never  went  beyond  three  ounces. 

In  three  months  after  our  entrance  nito  this  place,  the 
American  prisoners  presented  a  sad  spectacle  of  wretch- 
edness and  misery.     Naturally  improvident,  and  at  the 
same  time  restless,  always  planning  schemes  to  effect 
their  escape,  they  could  not  bring   themselves  to  any- 
species  of  labor ;  many  of  them,  too,  coming  from  the 
worst  grades  of  society,  with  habits  imbibed  from  those 
haunts  of  wretchedness,  soon  lost,  by  gambling,  what 
little  means  they  had.     This  was  not  all ;  tb';y  sacri- 
ficed their  clothing  to  this  nefarious  practice,  and,  now 
pinched  with  cold,  and  half  starved  for  want  of  food, 
and  v^ith  no  regular  mode  of  exercise,  disease  began  to 
make  its   appearance  among  them    in   its  very   worst 
form.     Many  sickened  and  died ;  others  became  almost 
frantic  with  hunger;  and   that  most  abominable  vice, 
theft,  was  perpetrated  upon  one  another  with  impunity. 
I  have  actually  seen  one  hundred,  or  more,  of  these  half- 
starved  wretches,  scraping  out,  from  the  piles  of  offal 
thrown  from  the  prison,  potato  and  turnip  skins,  and 
whatever  they  could  find  to  masticate,  to  satisfy  their 
raging  hunger.     Those  who  had  money  fared  well,  from 
the  fact  that  the  French  prisoners  were  allowed  a  market, 
outside  of  the  first  wall ;  and  as  the  whole  of  these  men 
were  industrious,  and  brought  themselves  systematically 
to  some  pursuit,  they  manufactured  a  variety  of  articles, 
such  as  lace,  straw  plait  for  bonnets,  bonework  of  almost  I 
every  description,  instruments  of  music,  and  miniature 
ships,  &c.  &c.,  which  were  bought  up  by  the  country 
people,  or  exchanged  for  their  produce.     Indeed,  these 
French  prisoners  had  become  so  thoroughly  reconciledl 
to  their  situation,  (some  of  them  having  been  here  six  I 
or  eight  years,}  that  their  minds  appeared  to  be  wholly  I 


LIFE    CN  TH£   OCEAN. 


229 


lich,  when 
aan'shand. 
meat — the 

was  the 

have  often 
boiled,  and 

is  place,  the 
of  wretch- 
and  at  the 
les  to  effect 
jlves  to  any 
ing  from  the 
,d  from  those 
nbling,  w\jat 
•  th'^y  sacri- 
ice,  and,  now 
vant  of  food, 
sase  began  to 
s  very   worst 
,ecame  almost 
minable  vice, 
ith  impunity, 
of  these  half- 
piles  of  offal 
ip  skins,  and 
satisfy  theit 
od  well,  from 
wed  a  marUet,  I 
of  these  men 
lystematically 
sty  of  articles, 
ork  of  almost 
tnd  miniature  I 
the  country 
Indeed,  these 
ily  reconciled 
,een  here  six 
to  be  wholly 


occupied  with  gain.  I  knew  many  of  them  who,  when 
peace  was  effected  between  France  and  England,  had 
saved  from  one  to  two  thousand  guineas ;  and  there  were 
some  who  did  not  actually  wish  to  leave  the  prison. 

This  depot  for  prisoners  of  war  is  situated  in  Staple- 
ton,  a  village  about  five  miles  north  of  Bristol.  The  coun- 
try around  it  is  highly  cultivated,  and  presents  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  scones  I  ever  witnessed.  From  the 
prisons  may  be  seen  the  magnificent  grounds  and  castle 
belonging  to  the  duke  of  Devonshire.  The  buildings, 
three  in  number,  are  capable  of  containing  fifteen  hun- 
•dred  men  each ;  the  ground  on  which  they  stand  may, 
perhaps,  cover  an  area  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  The 
yard,  in  the  form  of  a  circle,  is  surrounded  with  a  strong 
wall  — say  fourteen  feet  in  height  —  on  the  top  of  which, 
at  intervals,  are  cannons  planted,  and  a  sentinel  stationed 
atpicl  .  ;  outside  of  this  wall  runs  a  ditch,  twenty 
feet  b  -  Sentinels  are  so  posted  around  the  yard, 
both  day  and  night,  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  effect 
an  escape  from  the  prison. 

Three  months  had  now  elapsed  since  we  came  to  this 
place,  and  our  hopes  of  being  exchanged  were  less  prob- 
able, from  the  fact  that  Commodore  Rogers  had  detained 
a  number  of  English  prisoners  in  close  confinement,  as 
hostages  for  as  many  American  prisoners  whom  the 
British  held  in  bondage,  declaring  that  they  were  Eng- 
lishmen; and  of  course  such,  when  found  fighting 
against  their  country,  must  suffer  the  penalty  attached 
to  the  crime,  which  is  death.  This  punishment,  how- 
ever, was  never  carried  into  rxecution,  supposing,  no 
doubt,  the  American  government  would  have  retaliated. 
Prom  this  time  forward,  there  was  no  more  exchange  of 
prisoners  until  peace  was  concluded. 

As  my  funds  were  now  getting  short,  it  became  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  me  to  turn  my  attention  to  some 
I  pursuit  which  would  afford  a  subsistence ;  accordingly, 
I  commenced  to  manufacture  straw  plait  for  ladies'  bon- 
nets. Though  riches  could  not  flow  in  abundance 
through  this  channel —^  with  the  most  incessant  toil,  I 


230 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


■  -'<  ■ 


-7*   ■'■' 


?» 


r 

St.  »^«s 
5!  ^* 


could  not  earn  more  than  one  shilling  per  day  —  yet  it 
was  sufficient  to  keep  me  in  coffee,  bread,  ^c,  as  long 
as  I  remained  in  this  place. 

The  sufi'erings  of  the  American  prisoners,  wherever 
they  were  confined  in  England,  were  equal,  if  not 
greater,  than  those  at  Stapleton ;  and  from  this  depot,  as 
well  as  from  others,  petitions  were  frequently  sent  to 
our  government,  through  the  medium  of  Mr.  Beasley, 
who  was  the  agent  for  American  prisoners  in  England. 
These  petitions  were  drawn  up  in  the  most  resjiectfiil 
manner,  and  set  forth  in  strong  terms  the  miserable 
and  destitute  condition  of  the  American  prisoners,  the' 
small  quantity  of  daily  food  allowed  by  the  British 
government,  (in  consequence  of  this  scanty  fare,  many 
had  starved  to  death,)  and  speedy  and  immediate  relief 
was  urgently  prayed  for.  On  the  reception  of  these 
petitions,  our  government  lost  no  time  in  affording  the 
reliei*  required,  by  empowering  the  agent  to  distribute  to 
each  prisoner  six  shillings  and  eight  pence,  mT)nthly, 
This  supply  was  indeed  seasonable  to  many  of  our  poor 
fellow-sufferers.  Now,  the  industrious  and  economical 
could  subsist  tolerably  well ;  but  there  were  yet  many 
among  us  who,  no  sooner  than  they  received  their 
monthly  allowance,  would  resort  to  the  gambling-table 
and  lose  it  all.  Not  many  of  this  description  lived  to 
see  the  United  States. 

When  peace  was  effected  between  France  and  Eng- 
land, the  French  prisoners,  of  course,  were  liberated 
and  sent  to  France ;  and,  as  there  were  but  four  hundred 
American  prisoners  at  this  place  —  not  being  a  sufficient 
number  to  employ  a  garrison  — our  destination  was  fixed 
for  Dartmoor.  This  was  a  matter  of  joy  to  many  of  us, 
because  we  contemplated  that  an  escape  would  not  be 
difficult ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  this  depot  was  infi- 
nitely preferable  to  Dartmoor.  The  prison  buildings 
here  were  far  superior  to  those  at  Dartmoor,  as  weU  as 
the  country  around  them  ;  the  facilities  of  a  market  for 
the  purchase  of  provisions,  and  for  the  sale  of  whatever  | 
articles  we  could  maimfacture,  were  likewise  much 
greater  here. 


231 


m& 


J-'rl 


CHAPTER  XXL 

REMOVAL  TO  DARfiykn^^ 

^'"^^'^"-^^SCn'PTION   OP  ,T^p,^„  ^ 
^^I'^CT  AN  ESCAPE.  "^^  ^ 

September  20, 1812       ti      ^ 
Aondred  men,  sUnglyl^'ft''™!;'.  comprising  one 
moor,  a  distance  of  oni  hS!?'  "f''''*^  "«  f"  Dart! 
draft  weekly  thereafter    nmiri""''  ^°,  ■»''«"-  ""d  Me 
despatched.     I,  fei,  ,„  ^  ",°'".  *«  ^'"ole  number  were 

i  revived,  if  possiole","  profit  hv'.^''  ""*  '»«•  «'mft,T„d 
»  escape,  at  the  first  fa^orabl,'^  ""'  "'»""'  »  ""akiSg 
"«ly,  when  we  had  leSd  »  i'T"""''''-     Accord! 
mto,  conceiving  the  pT«e  ^d  .imfT'  "t^"'  ^^^Y 
I  had  marched  twenty  mileTlhi^^  favorable,  although 
mmy  plan,  ;„,„  execution  .h«    ^7'  1  <J««™inedto 
»d.er  who  would  be  on  Za^d  '    If !«-  .''r'«g  Wbed  a 
meer.emng  hours  were  pS  if  ,rt'«'''-     The  few 
A'  length  the  moment  ^S^h      *''* ''e«Pe«  suspense 
ha'  I  should  exert  aKon!,'''''^."  *'"  "^ce^-^ 
"as  capable.    The  eaini^r^^  l"**  '^"''"de  of  which 
"PO"  the  good  fai?h^?f  this^,;,',i"'"y  ''•"c'y  depended 
have  to  pass  three  sentinek  an!?    k'"  ^'=*"»«  '  *o"ld 

pbif^"«  a  f.se  '^:i^^:m'zj^i 

Pillntc^JIISlt^^^^^^  and  all 

ho  guarded  an  old  tern  into  whT  51  ""^  ""«  '«n«'>els 
Jammed  for  the  nighS  re w^  «.""',  P"^"""  "^o" 
Fl»«ied  along  to  the  appoinK„i''7'y  "'"^  «'«»«/ 

h-»  had  been  stationed"!.  "Ih^^e  S^^ 


y» 


2^3 


LIFE   ON  \rHE   OCEAit. 


■■■> 


»st ' 


Uieel  the  soldier  before  named  ;  he  was  not  there.  The 
countersign  was  given,  and  the  answer  to  it  was,  "  Go 
back  !  or  you  are  a  dead  man."  Ail  hopes  of  escape 
were  now  at  an  end ;  the  bribed  soldier,  no  doubt^  had 
treacherously  given  me  the  wrong  countersign,  and,  as 
I  supposed,  informed  the  commanding  officer  of  my  in- 
tention. 

This  moi^t  fatiguing  and  harassing  march  was  con- 
tinued for  nine  days,  during  which  many  of  the  prisoners 
broke  down,  and  were  so  entirely  disabled  that  it  became 
necessary  to  transport  them  in  wagons.    So  unremitting 
was  the  vigilance  kept  over  us  during  the  remainder  of 
the  march,  after  my  project  of  escape  had  failed,  that 
every  effort  to  get  away  on  the  part  of  the  prisoners 
proved  ineffectual.      At   length,   we  arrived  at  Dart- 
moor ;  and  I  think  I  shall  not  overstep  the  bounds  of 
truth,  when  I  say  that  a  more  miserable  and  wretched 
spot  could  not  have  been  selected  in  the   Island  of 
Great  Britain,  to  erect  a  depot  for  prisoners  of  war,  than 
this  same  barren  heath  presented.     In  vain  may  the 
eye  exert  its  powers  of  vision  to  seek   for  shrub  or 
verdure,  and  in  vain  may  the  mind  contemplate  a  scene 
more  melancholy  than  to  see  six  thousand  intelligent 
beings  confined  in  a  circumference  of  about  one  half  of 
a  mile,  strongly  fortified,  and  encircled  by  walls,  ditches, 
and  palisades,  with  cannon  so  planted  as  to  command 
every  part  of  the  enclosure.     It  was,   nevertheless,  a 
relief  to  enter  even  this  place,  bad  as  it  was,  where  we 
might  find  rest  for  our  wearied  limbs  and  debilitated 
bodies.     But  if  the  location  of  Dartmoor  inspires  the 
mind  with  gloom  at  first  sight,  much  more  sensibly  did 
I  feel  the  horrors  of  confinement,  when  thrust  into  the 
interior.     There   were   about   six  thousand  American 
prisoners,  who  had  been  gathered  from  all  the  prisonj| 
and  prison-ships  in  England,  and,  with  the  exceptii 
of  those   Americans  who    had    given   themselves  U] 
from  British  men-of-war,  and  who  at  this  time  were  iflyellow. 
confinement  at  Portsmouth,  comprised  all  the  Ameri 
prisoners  now  in  England.     These,  then,  for  the  m 


pr^Z  dou^ttee'nt,  "^  °"''«^''  «d  desperadoes 
haunts  or  vice  in  Si  ^.        ^'°'^  ""  »»«  ^XbS 
States.    I,  must  not  be  onH!***". "'"'"'  'h^tt 
came  under  this  de^riptioSof  "^i""^'  '"^'«'.  «M 
some  among  the  naXr»n  k  '"^««''  <"»'  "lere  we» 
of  a  seaman    but,  ?hen  'th^M?"  «°  'he  profeS 
8«a«ly  overbalanced  tS;  L«i    f*"  »"''  "'"gh-aiC 
ia«J  that  "might  gives  ri<.h^*^r'"^'^'  «>  'hat  the 
"d  the  levellfng  mZ^^'J'T,^'f'^y  "lustrat^t 
If  a  man  whohii  been  a„  „«  P"'  """  effeetual  practice 
to  k«.p  himself  S  fro^^^r.r-'^'^'^J'di^^S 
fnostsure  to  be  mobted   a„H  v  ^"""'■*«'"».^was 
l««d  and  g^  discip^ne  o'^*^^  ^f«  t'^  topt  a  ta« 
tenng  these  prisons,  ke  wasJ^^u^  ^'*  "^^'s  on  en- 
f><jS-^H  and  flogged         '  «*"'"»"y  "«-!  to  the  whi^ 

,uemiy  r %'^mmit:,"^'  I^  '^t'"'"*'  *«  f«-' 
««=ue  the  officers  from   Tl  1"  *'','"^  """liers  to 
Ihese  outrages  cominnld  umil  ''"'"*"="^^'  treatmen" 
gi-sn  themselves  UDfrn^n"?  J   """^  ""en  who  haH 

,  -.to  this  place.'  Ther^f^ ':irr''-'^"  ^'^  ^ 

fellows,  men  of  princirie  an^  generally  a  noble  set  of 
r^tly,  friends  to  kC'a^^    ''T  ^""'oans-conse- 
Mority,  effectually  Zi"^  l^'"''  ""iting    with  X 
"Ppssion.    Competent  "^'f';^'  "^'^  «f  i^ustice  ^ 
»ajomy  to  frame  VconstS„r  ^T''' '"'««'«<i  by  rte 
Ku^tion  of  the  vvhor IXeri  '"'  '"'  '"«  ^'*^ 
and  allegiance  was  sworn  to  tf!^       '•  **''®  appointed, 
J  V  a  large  majority  of  Z  ™.;        """'"tution  wd  laws 
»f  these  mcasures,'^wLnever  TT    "^'"'^  "^e  adopS 
nolated,  the  culprit  or  nffJ^       '*"'"  ^«fe  infringed  or 
'othe  enormityr't'he  crim.  f'^'"  P""'**-!  acclXg 
J   I'^asforciblystrm^tTi,      """"""'^J- 
b''  'he  miserabfe  "lid'"  '^  ""''""«  these  prisons, 
K  clothes  gi^n  Zm  bvTr""*  "^  '"e  priToS 
Now,  designedpurSv  L  rK^P'""  "^'^  "o'tly 
P;ase  of  els,pe.P  TtS«ed  tf'  f  ''**''8"»'«  'hem 
Md  scantiness  of  provSTn  ™«       "?  1°"^  confinemene 
22  P'o^'ton,  many  of  them  dirty  and  in  . 


I 


S34 


Lire   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


t 

rr^ 

c 

% 

t 

K 

h 

n 

K 

S.«J*   ■' 

a;*  i' 

I 

r.ty  [''■ 

^X 

K 

>■* 

H; 

;;« 

t 

ilcd 

< 

ill* 

•■I 

ss: 

'jTl" 

m 

W'« 

Si! 

'B**^ 

SB 


tatters,  they  presented  to  my  mind  a  set  of  unearthly 
objectj,   issuing  from  the   recesses  of  Pandemonium, 
rather  than  a  living  mass  of  human  beings.     The  con- 
duct  and   pursuits  of    these  men    were   so  strikingly 
different  from  the  French  prisoners  at  Stapleton,  that 
my  mind  not  only  sickened,  but  I  really  felt  ashamed 
of  my  own  countrymen.      It  must  be  conceded,  how- 
ever, that  they  were  continually  planning  schemes  of 
escape ;  consequently,  they   were  restless  and  uneasy, 
and,  instead  of  settling  themselves  down  to  any  system 
of  government,  or  adopting  any  plan  or  occupation,  — 
such  as  carrying  on  the  various  branches  of  mecha- 
nism, for  instance,  —  ihey  spent  their  time  with  cards, 
dice,  roulette  tables,  &.c.  &.c.    Here  and  there,  however, 
throughout  the  prisons,  might  be  seen  stands,  or  shops, 
for  the  purpose  of  selling  coffee  and  various  kinds  of 
eatables,  and   there   were  no  small   number  of  these 
stands  for  the  sale  of  ardent  spirits,  &;c.     There  were 
also  a  number  of  schools,  and  it  might  be  said  that  this 
vns  almost  the  only  reputable  employment  carried  on 
among   the   prisoners.     The  monthly  allowance,  with 
proper  care  and  management,  would  have  been  highly 
beneficial ;  but,  as  it  was,  to  many  it  proved  a  curse 
instead  of  a  blessing ;  for,  immediately  on  receiving  it, 
hundreds  would  resort  to  the  gambling-table,  and  in  a 
few  minutes   would  come  off  minus  ,*  hundreds  more 
would  go  to  the  rum  shop,  and  their  allowance  would 
be  quickly  swept  away.    To  me,  the  day  of  distribution  | 
was  a  day  of  terror,  for  the  prisoners  actually  appeared  i 
more  like  a  set  of  demons,  let  loose  from  the  regions  of  | 
darkness,  than  reasonable  men.     Every  where  drunken- 
ness, fighting,  and  brawlings,  might  be  seen  throughout! 
the  prisons  and  prison-yards,  and  I  really  dreaded  wheDl 
the  period  arrived  for  distribution,  although  I  was  at  alii 
times  much  in  want  of  this  small  pittance ;  indeed,  ill 
became  more  necessary  because  no  market  privilegesl 
were  allowed  here  as  in  Stapleton  ;  and,  consequently! 
little  could  be  sold,  even  if  it  were  manufactured.    Thii| 
doprivatioQ  was  a  serious  matter  to  many  of  the  priwo 


LIFE    OS   THE    OCEAN. 

necessary,  therefore,  to  l,Til    »"'«'«'««'>««•    It  becam. 

fi^«d  my  mind  to  pureue  „  """"PWion  on  which  I 
prisoners'  clothes,  at  l"^tJT  i^"  °^  "ashing  the 
'>'<«  not  the  most  exaltK*/*''. '*'"'«''■    Although  this 

I  had  not  been  lono-  «t  .i,- 
received  a  letter  from  an  ."timlTP'^™""'  "he"  I 
n  the  cou„,i„g.h„„^  ^"«™te  fnend,  who  had  been 

I'fe-  He  had  heard  of  mv  l'^'^"  ^  embraced  a  sea 
subsequent  confinomem  •  Z  ""?"""*'«  ««?'"«  ani 
»  mercantile  house  in  O  'L^  '^*''  connected  wUh 
POw«r,  but  exercised  the  wnf^'  '"'  °°'  ""'X  had  the 
what  little  means  I  miehT  1  *,"*?''  *"  ™PP'v  me  with 

my^tuaticncomfortS    a  d  li"  """''  •"■'"•'  '^nd* 
he  letter  received.     It  mkv  u.  '^'^  ">«  P"'Port  of 

t.-ne  .n  embmcing  th"  offe^'^Jor^K'^''  l^'^  '»^'  no 
fciency  to  eat  and  drink  ve't  j  '  ^"''''"gh  I  had  a  si- 
ctohes,  having  either  losfthem^  "t^i^  -Jo^itme  of 
f«>m  me.    Prom  this  friend  i'  "•  ^  'hem  stolei 
S'-'y.  and  was  enablSTherebrtT"^  "  "»'«"  »»» 
dolhes,   besides  a  comneto^pt '^     P"?"™  »°nie  good 
«W  hcmg  compelled  Z^^T^  j!"'  sohswtence   with- 
g>ve  the  reader'S.me  p°o„f  of  ,hl'  "*?  "^  necessary  ,o 
pnhar  to  the  American  L;  ''**"®^  character  so 

«"S,  I  shall  here  g^e  a  mKT'  *"''  '»  '>'^«'  "  d^ 
"on  of  the  prison!.  "'""'*  description  of  the  sit,^ 

l-'herTt  fte"o:nf"a'"Mir""fe^'"  »  «he  slope,  or 

wo  strong  walls,  twelve  L.  h!^l^  ^!'^  surrounded  by 

S  '•  "^r^"  these  wat'  wf 'a'-dltch"""  '"'"^  '"''«'' 

i.„i ^^^ '^^"'> M well r .h«  "''' '*^"*j^ <■««' 

*™g'y  guarded.      U«der  each  f/  P"'*"-}^"'.  "ere 

""h  "'  'he  prisons  was  a 


^   'i 


236 


Lire    ON  THE    OCEAir. 


I 

c 

I 

i: 

t 

«■■ 

:;; 
PI 


III  I'' 


vi:>*  III 


':? 


>■• 


:» 


drain,  cut  about  three  feet  in  width,  and  about  the  same 
in  depth.  Water  from  the  adjacent  hills  constantly  ran 
through  these  drains,  and  served  the  various  purposes 
of  carrying  off  the  filth  and  offal,  cleansing  the  prisons, 
washing  clothes,  cooking,  &c.  When  it  rained,  which 
was  not  unfreqnent,  the  water  ran  through  these  drains 
with  great  rapidity.  I  mention  this  trifling  circum- 
stance, to  show  that,  in  the  following  account,  this 
small  affair  was  of  material  advantage  to  the  prisoners. 
And  now  for  the  proof  of  the  restlessness  of  their 
character. 

As  all  hopes  of  exchange  had  long  since  been  given 
up,   the  prisoners  unanimously  agreed   to   form   some 
plan,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  a  general  escape ;  it 
was,  therefore,  decided  to  dig  a  subterranean  passage, 
with  a  perpendicular  hole  inside  of  one  of  the  buildings. 
The  distance  from  the  prison,  in  which  the  hole  was  to 
be  dug,  to  the  outside  wall,  was  one  hundred  and  ten 
feet.     The  plan  was  to  dig  twenty  feet  perpendicularly, 
and  then  run  the  parallel  passage  sufficiently  wide  to  let 
two  men  pass  abreast.     This  plan  being  matured,  the 
prisoners  bound  themselves  under  a  most  solemn  oath  not 
to  reveal  the  scheme,  the  forfeiture  of  which  was  death. 
The  work  was  to  be  done  in  the  night,  as  there  was 
less  danger  of  detection :  the  "  turnkeys,"  &,c.,  being  then 
asleep,  no  other  watch  was  kept  but  by  the  sentries 
on  guard,  as  the  prisoners  were  all  looked  up  in  the 
prisons.     One  or  two  almost  insurmountable  difficulties 
now   presented  themselves,  viz.,  what  could  be  done 
with  the  vast  amount  of  rubbish  which  must  necessari- 
ly be  dug  from  this  cavern,  so  as  to  elude  the  vigilance 
of  the  guards  and  turnkeys,  who  inspected  the  prisons 
every  morning.    To  put  it  into  our  chests  and  bags  would 
not  do,  neither  would  it  be  practicable  to  throw  it  down 
the  common  sewers,  on  account  of  the  large  quantity. 
The  only  safe  plan,  therefore,  \vn:i  to  take  advantage  of 
the  heavy  rains,  and  to  throw  it  into  the  drains  before  j 
mentioned.     The  water  flowed  at  these  periods  withi 
such  velocity  that  it  would  force  it  all  off  into  the  outer 


sage, 
Th 
all  th< 
of  the 
of  th€ 
of  so 
of  con 
which 
that  ol 
increas 
I  escape. 
have  ej 
almost 
|(^  as 
enemy, 
l/ar  as  i 
unless  y 
»lionld 

■ .'  h; 

^opes  w 

t'fle  who 

ind  perh 

f^  Was 

2{ 


.^1 


ditch.     The  work  w 

perpendicular  hole  ZTs  fi?Zu''T"'^,'"^'  «■"»  won  th. 
J^  begun,  when^:::  h«  '*«d.  The  P^^'lel  1^: 
difficul  y  presented  itself  theL™""  """  ""foreMfn 
fined  air  within  the  s,  bt«J^  *"*  P'*"""*  of  con- 

that,    with  all  our  efforil  ?"*"*  ''*""  '"'M  «o  greJT 
lation,  we  we„,  unabl^t^o  »  I^Tl  "  ?'"'»'  S 
«•  a  time;  and  as  we  advanced  T?  **""  ""irty minute, 
became  greater,  until  i,  w^ab  'n.,    '""'^'  "■«  ?'*«">'* 
Jrfety,  that  air-holes  shl^Td  bT",^''']'*''*''"'?  for  our 
This  was  a  work  of  eXm^  k    '*?*''  ">  ">«  surface 
were  Ported,  about  °h,r.y7rfror"'v'"'r«  »»  'S' 
'he  prison  yard.    Detectin    hlZ  ^^  °"'"' »"  «»"nd 
■neyuable;  the  risk,  howe"er   '^'f"?'  '"""<'  «««»  '«  be 
project  abandoned.     The  W     "  u"".*  attempted,  or  the 
ahout  twelve  feet  from  ,L  "LT''"'''  '^'^  «om"eLc2S 
^e   and  extended  to  the  snT  """T"*  •"■  'be  p* 
This  mine  was  an  immen«     "5  *',"""«  discovSy 
« 1  the  difficulties  whicCrm^,  ""dertaking,  i„  view  5 
of  'he  guarfs,  turnkeys  &c    2      "'  V^''  "■«  ^«"»n^ 
«f  'he  prisoners,  (for  K,;!  '„^«  "PPrehended  trelcher^ 
«  ».  many,  all  ,;„„,d  ^^ve  trul  ^„™PP°«'J  'bat,  out' 
«f  concealing  the  dirt,  and Tnothe?'L  ""^  ^^^  <'*ffie"'tr 
»hich  was,  the  frequencv  T        ^  "°  '««»  magnitude 

!"»' obliged  us  .nsim''r'r^''"««  '<^h' 

«reasing  the  work  anf  le„Z„„     ""uS""  ""«•  «bui 

«ape.    Forty  nights  two  hi^-   "8  ""« ''me  of  our 

l»ve  exerted  all  my  S;vsT^f  ^"  '"  *"'"'•  ^  'eeollect  to 

f"o«  beyond  meXrwih'^,rr„f  ""'' '^•'*' <"«"»« 

|(for,  as  yet,  all  had  been  klnt  »  ™!/    T'^'  "^  S'>eees., 

I^my,)  and  as  we  Kne.™  h""""  '*'""«  <■""»  'he 

f«  as  the  inner  wall    we    ""L"'*?, '"  <"«•  Passage  ., 

Ijiless  we  were  detectod  1  ltT"^^^y  calculated   tha" 

M  prove   muZf'Z'^^Z'' %''"''  ""^  ■»«» 
fas!  how  little  then  did  7.  f  u"'""   °"  object. 

f»pes  were  so  soon  to  h»  ?  '^'i''*'  'bo^e  buoyant 
h  *bo  was  amZ  the  llr  "'"*'  '"<'  "»'-  too^by 
H  perhaps  the  mof.  ardr.  in'^hf  T'.'?  *°  "">  '''bor! 
h  was  first  projected 'OftLn  5^  }**''"g^  "ben  this' 
22*     '    •"    "■     ""«"'*dIworkbylus«de. 


238 


LirE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


fT> 

f  ;;'t 

t*.ii 

►  «•  r 

m^:: 

i     tilB» 

'II 

'    S  i*'* 

J    L  p*i» 

x^^^ 

s 

< 

^    !»-^  • 

^ 

L  r^i  -' 

fc,,  v.  rt 

t  >■'  ^ 

Cl;       HI    • 

'*"   '5 

111  -**« 

••1  ** 

««l   "in"* 

«.,,  ^T» 

PI  -*./■ 

i     ! 


and  often  did  we  converse  as  to  the  mode  of  operation 
after  we  should  have  gotten  clear  from  the  prison.    This 
man  was  a  native  American,  of  respectable  connections, 
who,  after  he  had  sworn  the  most  solemn  oath  not  to 
divulge  our  plans,  basely  betrayed  us  by  informing  the 
captain  of  the  prisons  of  all  our  operations,  the  distance 
we  had  penetrated,  and,  in  a  word,  given  the  particulars 
of  every  thing  in  reference  to  the  mine  and  the  con- 
templated manner  of  our  escape.     For  this  most  base 
and  treacherous  act,  he  obtained  his  release,  and  a  pass- 
port to  proceed  to  the  United  States. 
1    The  first  intimation  we  received  of  detection,  was 
being  driven  into  the  prison   early   in   the   forenoon, 
and  locked  up;   then  a  regiment  of  a  thousand  meu 
was  marched  into  the  yard,  and  formed  a  hollow  square 
fronting  on  the  line  of  excavation.     The  colonel  of  the 
regiment,  with  a  small  guard,  entered  the  prison  and 
descended  the  perpendicular  hole,  passed  into  the  pas- 
sage, and,  after  examining  with  great  care  and  minute* 
ness  the  entire  work,  he  ascended,  and  publicly  con- 
ferred a  tribute  of  praise  to  men   "  who,  under  so  many 
discouraging  circumstances,  not  only  managed  to  keep 
this  gigantic  work  a  profound  secret,  but  who,  by  their 
unremitting    perseverance,   had    carried  on   the    work 
nearly  to  its  completion."     He  declared,  at  the  same 
time,  that  such  men  were  worthy  of  their  liberty.     The 
work  of   destruction  was  commenced  by  the  miners 
connected  with  the  regiment ;  and  after  laboring  two 
hours  they  came  to  /the  parallel  passage ;  after  which, 
filling  up  the  remaining  part  was  an  easy  matter,  for 
the  ground   fell   in  without   any  difficulty.     At  four| 
o'clock  the  whole  passage  was  filled  up,  and  our  long- 
cherished  hopes  of  escape  were  entirely  frustrated.    A| 
solemn  compact  was  entered  into,  by  many  of  the  pris', 
oners,  that,  in  the  event  of  falling  in  with  the  basej 
informer  in  after  life,  they  would  take  his  life. 

Shortland,  the  commandant  of  the  prison,  and  who,kjj^j 
it  was  said,  was  a  broken-down  post^captain  stood  '^"'■and'in^ 


Lire    ON    THE    0(  EAN. 


230 


f  operation 
ison.    This 
ionnections, 
oath  not  to 
rorming  the 
the  distance 
e  particularsj 
lid  the  con- 
8  most  base 
^  and  a  pass- 

Btectioii,  vras 
,he  forenoon, 
housand  meu 
hoUow  square 
colonel  of  the 
[le   prison  and 
,  into  the  pas- 
a  and  minute- 
publicly  con- 
under  so  many 
,naged  to  keep 
who,  by  their 
on  the    work 
I   at  the  same 
Uberty.    T'he 
jy  the  miners 
(r  laboring  two 
\'  after  which, 
.^y  matter,  for 
lulty.     At  four 
and  our  long- 
frustrated.    A 
inv  of  the  pns- 
UJuh  the  base 

bis  life-  ^  ,  , 
•ison,  and  wM 
>tain  stood  m 


torious  for  his  many  acts  of  tyranny ;  and  it  was  also 
currently  reported  that  the  Admiralty  had,  by  way  of 
ridding  the  service  of  so  much  inhuman  barbarity, 
placed  him  here  as  jailer  to  those  confined  within  the 
enclosures  of  this  celebrated  depot. 

After  the  discovery  of  this  affair,  this  humane  gentle* 
man  restricted  every  privilege  that  we  had  previously  en- 
joyed, such  as  forbidding  the  entrance  and  sale  of  fresh 
provisions,  vegetables,  6i,c.,  as  also  by  closely  confining 
the  prisoners,  and  sometimes  by  stopping  their  customary 
allowance.     This  treatment  was  continued  hi  intervals, 
as  spleen  suggested  to  his  choleric  disposition,  during 
the  whole  period  of  our  confinement :  notwithstanding 
repeated   remonstrances   were   made    to   the  American 
agent,  in  reference  to  the  conduct  of  Shortland,  no  re- 
dress could  be  obtained.  « 
At  length,  the  long-looked-for  news  of  the  probabil  iy 
of  peace   reached   our   desponding  hearts;    but    wh3n 
information  was  received  that  commissioners  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  contending  parties  to  negotiate  a  treaty 
of  peace  at  Ghent,  and  that  the  commissioners  were  ac- 
tually on  the  spot,  the  loudest  and  most  extravagant 
demonstrations   of  joy  were  exhibited  throughout  the 
prisons.     But  on  the  reception   of  the  news  that  the 
treaty  of  peace  had  actually  been  signed  by  both  parties, 
the  effect  upon  the  prisoners  was  beyond  all  description. 
The  tFuth  of  it  conl(|  hardly  be  realized.    Some  danced, 
while  others  sang;  some  laughed,  and  othv  ?  wept,  for 
joy ;  many  resorted  to  the  intoxicating  bowl,  iL;d  affirmed 
that  they  would  get  royally  drunk ;   this  pledge  was 
kept  to  the  very  letter ;  the  shops,  or  places  where  liquor, 
coffee,  <S&c.,  had  been  sold,  were  brokers  down,  and,  for 
a  short  time,  like  as  in  the  days  of  oid,  all  things  were 
partaken  of  in  common,  as  they  expected  an  immediate 
release.     But  they  were  disappointed  in  this,  for  the 
confinement  was  as  close,  and  the  treatment  equally  as 
id,  as  it  had  been  bef<^re  the  news  of  peace  arrived ; 
land  in  consequence  of  the  delay  of  providing  cartels  by 
oar  agent,  the  confinement  of  the  prisoners  was'  (>ra* 


s 
I 

It: 

i: 

t 

tall 


^.1 

n^  *    Mil 


^:^ 


•;i,    PHI 
"i?    'I'' 


240 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


longed  months.  This  was  mainly  the  cause  of  the  un- 
fortunate riot  and  the  subsequent  massacre  of  the  pris- 
oners, by  the  command  of  the  commandant  Shortland. 
For  my  own  part,  I  was  in  some  degree  prepared  for  the 
news  of  peace,  by  the  correspondence  held  with  my 
friend  in  London ;  and  yet,  when  it  actually  did  come, 
such  were  my  feelings,  —  vacillating  between  hope  and 
fear,  truth  and  fiction,  —  that  it  was  some  time  before  I 
brought  myself  to  the  positive  conclusion  that  it  was 
really  true.  In  a  few  days,  however,  all  doubts  on  this 
subject  were  entirely  dissipated,  as  I  received  a  letter 
from  my  friend,  which  informed  me  that  he  had  obtained 
my  release  from  the  Transport  Board,  and  that  an  order 
had  been  sent  from  that  Board  to  release  two  of  us  im- 
mediately. In  this  letter  was  enclosed  a  five-pound 
bank  note,  to  defray  our  expenses  to  London,  also  giv- 
ing his  address.  I  lost  no  time  in  getting  all  my  traps 
in  readiness  for  departure. 

The  next  morning,  M.  and  myself  were  called  out, 
and  passports  were  given  to  each  of  us  by  Shortland, 
aud,  a  couple  of  soldiers  taking  up  our  trunks,  the  turn- 
key conducted  us  outside  of  the  prison  walls.  We  had 
previously  ordered  a  post-chaise,  into  which  we  both 
entered,  and  drove  off  at  a  rapid  rate  for  Ashburtou,  and 
I  believe  neither  of  us  gave  "  one  longing,  lingering  look 
behind,"  at  Dartmoor  prison.  Ashburton  is  about  twelve 
miles  east  of  Dartmoor,  a  small  village,  the  allotted 
location  of  prisoners  on  parole.  Through  this  town  lies 
the  direct  route  to  London.  Here,  then,  we  arrived  in 
about  an  hour  and  a  half,  paid  off  our  postilion  with 
half  a  guinea,  and  remained  during  the  night,  and  the 
next  morning  took  seats  on  the  top  of  the  mail-coach 
for  London. 

The  mail-coach  driving  at  a  rapid  rate^  we  were,  of 
course,  very  soon  at  our  journey^s  end,  and  had  but 
little  opportunity  to  make  observations  on  the  highly 
cultivated  grounds  and  beautiful  scenery  through  which 
we  passed.  We  were  now  in  the  midst  of  the  largest 
metropolis  in  the  world;   two  strangers,  just  emerged 


LIFE    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


241 


of  the  uu- 
►f  the  pris- 

Shortland. 
ared  for  the 
i  with  my 
J  did  come, 
n  hope  and 
me  before  1 
that  it  was 
ubts  on  this 
ved  a  letter 
had  obtained 
that  an  order 
ifo  of  us  im- 
a  five-pound 
Ion,  also  giv- 

all  my  traps 

te  called  out, 
by  Shortland, 
inks,  the  tnm- 
dls.     We  had 
hich  we  both 
.shburton,  and 
lingering  look 
about  twelve 
the  allotted 
this  town  lies 
we  arrived  in 
postilion  with 
Qjght,  and  the 
[he  mail-coach 

we  were,  of 
\nd  had  but 
pn  the  highly 
Ihrough  which 
lof  the  largest 

^ust  emerged 


from  a  prison-house ;  and  although  I  had  frequently  been 
in  large  cities,  yet  every  thing  appeared  to  be  perfectly 
novel,  and  I  thought  myself  to  be  as  absolutely  green 
as  if  I  had  never  seen  any  thing  in  my  life.  This  was 
also  noticed  by  more  than  myself;  one  chap,  drawing 
up  alongside,  and  patting  my  cheeks,  very  significantly 
said, "  Bang  up,  Johnny  Raw,  who  made  your  coachee  ?  '* 
To  which  I  replied  in  the  most  polite  and  agreeable 
manner  possible  to  my  then  state  of  feelings,  by  letting 
him  have  a  rejoinder  under  the  left  ear.  This  off-hand 
reply  took  with  the  bystanders,  for  I  heard  some  of  them 
say,  "  He's  the  clean  stuff,  anyhow."  But  we  were  not 
yet  rid  of  their  tricks ;  for  on  calling  a  hack,  and  giving 
the  driver  the  address  of  our  friend,  we  both  jumped  into 
the  coach,  and  I  suppose  he  must  have  driven  us  at 
least  six  or  seven  miles  round  and  about  the  city;  at 
length  he  stopped  at  the  residence  of  our  friend,  at  which 
place  there  was  a  lady  waiting  to  receive  us,  as  Mr.  B. 
had  gone  out.  The  coachman  demanded,  for  his  fee^ 
half  a  guinea ;  the  lady  inquired  at  what  place  he  had 
taken  us  up;  after  I  had  informed  her,  she  presented 
him  with  a  shilling,  which  he  very  meekly  received, 
and  drove  off. 

From  this  lady  we  received  the  kindest  treatment; 
she  expressed  great  sympathy  when  the  relation  of  our 
confinement  was  made  to  her,  and,  during  our  stay  at 
her  house,  she  endeavored,  by  every  act  of  kindness 
and  attention,  to  atone,  as  she  said,  for  the  injustice  of 
her  countrymen,  in  imprisoning  men  who,  in  all  re- 
spects, she  affirmed,  were  equal  to  Englishmen.  This 
was  a  great  compliment ;  but  when  I  learned  that  she 
was  born  and  educated  at  the  west  end  of  London,  and 
never  had  sufficient  curiosity  (although  she  was  then 
thirty-four  years  of  age)  to  visit  the  eastern  part  of  the 
city,  —  I  say,  when  I  heard  this  from  her  own  lips,  I 
was  not  at  all  astonished  at  the  compliment  she  be- 
|stowed  upon  us. 

My  friend  soon  arrived,  by  whom  we  were  most 
[cordially  received ;  we  ate  and  drank  at  his  table,  andl 


i>i    1 


»«T-7'      ,1)1 


Ml      .»t 

I.       *.      fi 

|l       ^'* 

5 

•Ml 

it. 

t; ::, ... 

■<4,    ^»  ;» 

P»i      -It.  'H 

1^;  -«» 


dift 


LirS    ON  THE    OCBS^N. 


slefMi  aouadly  in  his  well-fartiished  rooms.     After  I  had 
given  Mm  a  distinct  narration  of  nearly  all  the  scenes 
and  circumstanees  which  had  befallen  me  since  our 
separation,  we    repaired    to  a    *' ready-made    clothing 
store,"  where  in  a  few  minutes  I  was  completely  meta- 
morphosed—  my  prison  garb  giving  place  to  the  cos- 
tume of  a  London  cockney.     My  friend  informed  us 
that  he  had  procured  situations  on  board  of  an  Americati 
ship,  which  had  been  lying  up  in   Russia  during  the 
whole  of  the  war,  but  had  come  to  London  immediately 
on  the  news  of  peace ;  and  that  she  was  now  actively 
loading  in  dock  for  the  United  States,  and  expected  to 
sail  in  ten  days.    "  In  a  week,  therefore,"  said  he,  "it  is 
necessary  you   should  repair  on  board;  during  which 
time,"  he  continued,  "  I  will  endeavor  to  show  you  all 
that  is  worth  seeing  in  London."     He  was  as  good  as 
his  word,  for  every  hour  was  employed,  apwt  from  our 
meals,   in  visiting  the  almost  numberless  places  and 
scenes  which  are  calculated  to  astonish  and  delight  the 
stranger  and  traveller. 

Our  week  expiring,  we  bade  adieu  to  our  kind  hostess 
and  family;  and  having  exchanged  our  long  clothes  for 
a  complete  sailor's  rig,  we  jumped  into  a  hackney  with 
Mr.  B.,  drove  to  the  London  Docks,  went  immediately 
on  board  of  the  American  ship  Boston,  and  were  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  B.  to  Captain  Finley,  as  the  two  young  ^ 
men  whom  he  had  engaged  to  work  their  passage  to  th^  j 
United  States  in  his  ship.  The  captain  received  usi 
rather  cavalierly,  said  he  was  glad  that  we  had  come  I 
on  board,  for  he  was  short  of  hands  to  get  in  the  cargo. 
He  was  a  very  queer-looking  chap;  and  although  I 
dressed  at  the  tip-top  of  the  London  fashion,  yet  his 
clothes  did  not  sit  on  him  with  a  good  grace,  having 
so  much  of  the  sailor  about  him.  After  hearing  a  few! 
very  nngenteel  epithets  bestowed  upon  the  mate,  I  was! 
inclined  to  believe  that  our  situation  on  board  wouidl 
not  be  the  most  agreeable.  In  the  end,  however,  I  wasi 
deceived ;  for  he  was  a  ^ood  sailor,  and  though  rough  inl 


0 


LIFE    ON   THB    OCEAN. 


243 


Lfter  I  had 

the  scenes 
5  since  our 
le  clothing 
letely  meta- 

to  the  cos- 
infortned  us 
an  American 
a  during  the 

immediately 
now  actively 
I  expected  to 
said  he, ''it  is 
during  which 
show  you  all 
as  as  good  as 
ipart  from  our 
ss   places  and 
ad  delight  the 

ar  kind  hostess 
ong  clothes  for 
hackney  with 
it  immediately 
^nd  were  intro- 
;he  two  young 
r  passage  to  th? 
ill  received  us 
we  had  come 
,t  in  the  cargo. 
and    although 
ishion,  yet  h« 
grace,  having 
,  hearing  a  fe^ 
he  mate,  1  w^ 
]n  hoard  would 
ihowever,  1  was 
hough  rough  iii| 


the  exterior,  yet  he  used  every  man  well  that  performed 
his  duty  according  to  contract.  In  a  few  days  the  mat^ 
was  discharged,  not  being  competent  to  fulfil  the  duties 
of  his  office :  the  berth  was  given  to  me,  and  I  never  had 
any  reason  to  repent  of  having  accepted  it.  In  a  few 
days  the  ship  was  loaded,  and  ready  for  sea. 

We  hauled  out  of  dock,  and  I  exchanged  the  parting 
adieu  with  my  worthy  friend,  Mr.  B.     The  wind  being 
fair,  we  soon  got  out  of  the  river  and  down  to  the  north 
foreland,  where  we  discharged  the  pilot,  made  all  sail 
with  a  fine  wind  from  the  eastward,  and  stood  down  the 
English  Channel.     Thus,  after  sufi\3ring  two  years  in  an 
English  prison,  besides  the  consequent  perils  and  dan- 
gers incident  to  a  state  of  warfare,  I  was  once  more  on 
my  favorite   element,  in  a  merchant  ship,  homeward 
bound,  after  an  absence  of  nearly  two  years  and  a  half. 
It  was  a  matter  of  some  consolation  that,  amid  the  varied 
scenes  and  circumstances  through  which  I  had  passed, 
my  life  and  health  had  been  preserved,  and  I  trust  that 
my  moral  character  had  not  deteriorated,  and  that  the 
experience  which  I  had  gained  from  the  vicissitudes  of 
fortune   would   have   a  salutary  effect   on   my   future 
course  of  life.     Soon  after  discharging  the  pilot,  I  was 
informed  by  Captain  F.  that  it  was  positively  certain 
that  we  should  be  the  second  ship,  if  not  the  first,  to 
arrive   in  the  United    States  after  peace  ;  he  having 
learned  that  it  would  be   ten  days   before  any  other 
vessel  would  sail  from  England.     Consequently,  it  was 
necessary  to  improve  every  opportunity  and  carry  hard 
sail,  (to  use  his  own  expression,)  and  this  was  done  to 
perfection  ;  for  although  we  had  an  exceedingly  boister- 
lous  passage,  with  many  heavy  and  severe  gales,  yet 
the  ship  was  never  hove  to ;  and  on  the  38th  day  after 
Idischarging   the  English   pilot,^  we  had  a  Chesapeake 
Ipilot  on  board.  Cape   Henry  bearing  west-north-west, 
jtwenty  miles  distant.     From  the  pilot  we  learned  that 
Dur  ship  was  the  second  arrival  from  England  since 
eace ;  and  that  we  were  anxiously  looked  for  by  the 
lerchants  in  Baltimore.    Passing  Cape  Henry  light, 


.,.  if' 


«l  ■■« 


k 


*»•*> 


t   Mr"  .1* 


•>.. 


:;.•>■  •» 


ill,    'Tf    •* 

tm  **■  ^ 


244 


LlfE    ON    TD£    OCEaK. 


and  entering  the  Chesapeake  Bay  with  a  fine  leading 
breeze,  and  every  tmil  spread,  we  stood  up  the  bay,  and 
arrived  at  the  port  of  Baltimore  after  a  passage  of  forty 
days. 


uc  «" 


..I  .  f  ^■'.. 


•.*i 


^  T   *  •-  i      '    . 


i!    li^. 


ou 


.X,.s    U^: 


r 


i  /     1      *fr ;     i       t 


Cvj  T 


^j.^  .  .1     . 1  • 


tU;'     #jPf-<'/' 


{245 


:3:W4 


ine  leading 
tie  bay,  and 
3ige  of  forty 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


-'»^  «^ 


!--• 


LOSS   OF  PRIZE-MONEY VOYAGE    TO   LONDON NARROW 

ESCAPE   FROM  SHIPWRECK,   &.C.   &C. 

I  REMAINED  in  the  ship  Boston  until  her  cargo  was 
discharged,  and  then  proceeded   in  her  to  Alexandria, 
the   port   from   which  she   hailed  and    to  which  she 
belonged,  Captain  Finley  being  the  owner.     Although 
pressed  by  Captain  F.  to  remain  in  the  ship,  yet  there 
were  two  prominent  reasons  which  made  it  absolutely 
necessary  that  I   should  decline  his  offer.     The  first 
was,  to  look  after  my  prize-money  and  property,  and 
the  second  was,  I  did  not  like  the  employment.    We 
separated  good  friends,  and  I  proceeded  immediately  to 
Baltimore,  and  from  thence  to  New  York,  the  port  to 
which  the  Paul  Jones  privateer  belonged,  and  where,  of 
course,  the  agent  for  the  crew  resided.     Previously  to 
my  arriving  at  this  place,  I  had  ascertained  that  three 
of  the  most  valuable  prizes  captured  by  the  Paul  Jones 
had  arrived  in  safety  in  the  United  Slates,  and  that  the 
vessels  and  cargoes  had  bden  sold  by  the  ag^nt  to  great 
advantage.     This  was  cheering  news,  because  I  was  at 
this  time  nearly  penniless,  and  i  knew  that  my  share  of 
the  prize-money  would  amount  to  between  nine  and 
ten  thousand  dollars.     Judge   of  my  feelings,  when, 
I  after  the  strictest  inquiry,  I  learned  that  the  agent  had 
managed  to  get  hold  of  all  this  vast  amount  of  prop- 
erty, and  then,  by  fraudulently  conveying  it  over  to 
other  hands,  had  failed,  and  taken  the  benefit  of  the 
linsolvent  law.     Thus,  by  this  most  dishonest  act,  he 
[cheated  one  hundred  or  more  poor  fellows  out  of  their 
Ihard  earnings — men,  too,  who  had  risked  their  lives, 
land  suffered  for  two  years  all  the  hardships  of  confine- 
23 


■;  :4 


246 


LiriS    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


t 

mil 

f 

% 

■■«i 

!! 

«»   ■ 

1. 

«.. 

1^ 

'«*': 

^ 

14, 

s. 

K'.V 

at- 

Mi. 

f 

»ai 


k 

It. 

it.. 

*    'Wi 

I 
;.-.t  ""     « 

I  • 

k'.>  Id 
t   .S 

:*• 

^1 


ment  in  an  English  prison.  Having  ascertained  that  it 
Would  be  useless  to  institute  a  suit  against  this  agent, 
1  gave  up  al!  hopes  of  recovering  any  portion  of  my 
dues.  As  there  was  another  source  troni  which  I 
fully  expected  to  receive  funds,  viz.,  the  schooner  which 
was  left  at  New  Orleans  at  the  conunenc<-iTieiil  of  the 
War,  I  immediately  wrote  on  to  those  gentlemen  whom 
I  had  empowered  to  act  in  my  absenco.  The  answer 
to  this  letter  imparted  to  me  the  unpleasant  intel- 
ligence, that  I  was  again  doomed  to  be  the  victim  tn 
disappointment  and  the  dnj.e  ol  knaves.  They  had  em- 
ployed the  vessel  to  considerable  advantage,  j^'er  which 
she  was  sold,  and  the  proceeds  received  by  them  for 
my  account,  so  that  they  had  actually  made  money 
upon  my  capital,  and  defrauded  me  out  of  the  whole. 
There  was  yet  remaining  one  more  resource,  viz.,  that 
which  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  G.,  of  Norfolk. 
This  sum  —  say  three  hundred  dollars  —  on  my  making 
application  for,  was  remitted  for Ih with,  principal  and 
interest,  together  with  a  trunk  of  wearing  apparel.  By 
the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen,  that  without  these  funds 
(and  they  were  earned  prior  to  the  commencement  of 
the  war)  I  should  have  been  penniless,  notwithstand- 
ing two  and  a  half  years  had  passed  away,  sometimes 
with  hard  fighting  and  many  hair-breadth  escapes,  with 
untold  hardships,  besides  a  long  and  most  painful  con- 
finement in^n  English  prison. 

My  intentions  now  were,  first,  to  vipit  my  friends  at 
the  north ;  but  as  I  had  heard  of  the  death  of  my  father 
and  of  the  marriage  of  my  sister,  I  concluded  to  return 
to  Baltimore,  having  settled  in  my  mind  to  make  this 
city  a  location  for  future  operations.  From  this  place, 
then,  I  entered  on  my  first  voyage  after  peace.  My 
determination  in  this  respect  was  the  more  settled,  after 
I  had  become  acquainted  with  the  peculiar  constitutional 
make  of  the  southern  people.  I  found  them,  in  all 
respects,  to  be  of  a  different  temperament  from  those  of 
the  north ;  they  were  evidently  more  social,  and  their  I 
hospitality  abounded  almost  to  excess,  especially  towards 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


247 


led  that  it 
this  agent, 

ion  of  ray 
I  which  I 
oner  wbieh 
ueii'.  of  t^^ 
imen  whom 
rhe  answer 
asant  intel- 
^e  victfTH  of 
hey  hafl  eni- 

{/«er  which 
by  them  for 
made  money 
i  the  whole, 
rce,  viz.,  that 
i.,  of  Norfolk, 
n  my  making 
principal  and 
r  apparel.    By 
It  these  funds 
nencement  of 

notwithstand- 

ly,  sometimes 
escapes,  with 

it  painful  con- 


strangers  ;  and  as  I  was  myself  naturally  of  a  sanguine 
character,  these  people,  I  found,  were  congenial  to  my 
views  and  feelings,  —  consequently,  I  resolved  to  reside 
among  them. 

As  before  stated,  I  joined  the  ship  0 ,  Captain  G., 

bound  for  London,  as  second  officer.  It  was  not  long 
before  she  was  ready  for  sea,  and  I  had  made  the  neces- 
sary preparations  for  another  voyage. 

December  20,  1815.  —  After  bidding  adieu  to  the 
family  in  which  I  resided,  and  with  whom  I  was  on  the 
most  intimate  terms  of  friendship,  we  cast  off  from  the 
wharf,  and  stood  down  the  river,  with  a  strong  breeze 
from  the  north-west.  22d,  at  7  A.  M.,  discharged  the 
pilot,  and  went  to  sea  with  a  north-west  gale.  This  ship 
had  been  originally  a  French  Guineaman,  captured  by 
the  English,  and  was  afterwards  taken  by  the  Americans 
during  the  war.  She  was  an  old  ship,  consequently 
weak,  and  in  addition  she  had  been  risen  upon,  and  hav- 
ing now  three  decki>,  of  course  much  of  the  weight  of 
her  cargo  was  carried  above  the  water.  She  was  there- 
fore very  crank  and  very  leaky.  The  captain  was  an 
old  man  and  an  experienced  sailor.  The  chief  mate, 
his  nephew,  had  served  his  time  with  him, — a  young, 
active,  and  bold  seaman ;  the  foremast-men,  twelve  in 
number,  were  all  able  seamen  ;  nevertheless,  we  had  as 
much  as  we  could  attend  to  during  the  passage,  which, 
although  short,  yet  was  the  most  boisterous  and  se- 
vere of  any  that  I  had  yet  experienced.  Fortunately, 
the  wind  was  fair  all  the  way,  and  we  never  showed 
any  thing  higher  than  double-reefed  topsails,  and  it  re- 
quired the  labor  of  a  watch  at  the  pumps  to  keep  her 
free.  In  fourteen  days  and  six  hours  from  the  time  we 
cast  off  from  the  wharf,  we  were  to  an  anchor  in  Fal- 
mouth, England.  We  just  arrived  in  time  to  escape  a 
long  easterly  gale.  '^'rrh 

January  15,  1816.  —  Received  orders  this  day  to  pro- 
ceed to  London  with  the  ship,  and  as  the  easterly  gale 
abated,  and  the  wind  hauled  round  southward  and 
westward,  we  got  under  way,  stood  out  of  Falmouth 


11 


248 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


f 

f 

I 

I 


t 

ft 

S! 


*» 


•I 

■.«»■* 


^    ,:|! 


I 


harbor^  and  proceeded  up  the  British  Channel.    At  sun- 
set it  commenced  to  rain,  and  the  weather  was  thick 
and  cloudy.     The  different  lights  were   seen  as  far 
as  the  Bill  of  Portland.     At  midnight  lost  sight  of 
the  land,  and  it  blew  a  gale  from  off  the  French  coast ; 
close-reefed  the  topsails,  and  steered  a  course  so  as  to 
keep  in  mid-channel.     At  daybreak  the  ship  was  judged 
to  be  off  Beachy  Head;  the  weather  being  so  thick, 
the  land  could  not  be   see;i.     The  fore  and  mizzen- 
topsails  were  now  furled,  and  the  ship  hove  to.     The 
rain  began  now  to  fall  in  torrents,  and  the  heavy,  dense, 
black  clouds  rose  with  fearful  rapidity  from  the  north- 
ward over  the  English  coast,  when  suddenly  the  wind 
shifted  from  the  south-west  to  north,  and  blew  a  hur- 
ricane.    The  mist  and  fog  cleared  away,  and,  to  our 
utter  astonishment,  we  foimd  ourselves  on  a  lee  shore 
on  the  coast  of  France,  off  Boulogne  heights.     The  gale 
was  so  violent,  that  no  more  sail  could  be  made.     The 
ship  was  so  exceedingly  crank,  that  when  she  luffed  up 
on  a  wind,  her  bulwarks  were  under  water.     As  she 
would  not  stay,  the  only  alternative  was,  to  wear ;  of 
course,  with  this  evolution  we  lost  ground,  and  conjc* 
quently  were  driven  nearer  every  moment  towards  the 
awful  strand  of  rocks.     The  scene  was  now  terrific; 
many  vessels  were   in  sight,  two  of  which  we  saw 
dashed  on  the  rocks  ;  with  the  tremendous  roar  of  the 
breakers,  and  the  howling  of  the  tempest,  and  the  heavy 
sea,  which  broke  as  high  as  the  fore-yard,  death  appeared 
inevitable.    There  was  only  one  hope  left,  and  that  was, 
that,  should  the  tide  change  and  take  us  under  our  lee* 
beam,  it  might  possibly  F3t  us  off  on  the  Nine-fathom 
Bank,  which  is  situated  at  a  distance  of  twelve  miles 
north-north-west,  off  Boulogne  harbor.    On  the  event  of 
reaching  this  bank,  the  safety  of  the  ship  and  lives  of 
the  crew  depended,  as  it  was  determined  there  to  try  the 
anchors,  for  there  was  no  possibility  of  keeping  off  shore 
more  than  two  hours,  if  the  gale  continued. 

We  were  now  on  the  larboard  tack,  and  for  the  last 
half  hour  it  was  perceived  that  the  tide  had  turned,  and 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


249 


At  sun- 
«7as  thick 

en  as  ^^ 
sight  of 

nch  coast ; 

le  so  as  to 

was  judged 

g  so  thick, 

nd  mizzew- 

e  to.    The 

javy,  dense, 

I  the  north- 

i\y  the  wind 

blew  a  hur- 
and,  to  our 

I  a  lee  shore 

s.     The  gale 

made.    The 

she  luffed  up 

Wer.  As  she 
to  wear ;  of 
,  and  conse- 
towards  the 
now  terrific; 
lich  we  saw 
is  roar  of  the 
ind  the  heavy 
[eath  appeared 
I  and  that  was, 

under  our  lee- 
e  ISine-fathom 
twelve  miles 
>n  the  event  of 

and  lives  ot 
,ere  to  try  the 
iping  off  shore 

id. 

nd  for  the  last 

ad  turned,  and 


was  setting  to  the  northward;  this  was  our  last  and 
only  chance,  for  the  rocks  were  not  more  than  half  a 
mile  under  our  lee,  and  as  it  was  necessary  to  get  the 
ship's  head  round  on  the  starboard  tack,  which  could 
only  be  done  by  wearing,  it  was  certain  that  much 
ground  would  be  lost  by  that  evolution.  The  anchors 
were  got  ready,  Jong  ranges  of  the  cables  were  hauled 
on  deck,  and  the  ends  were  clinched  to  the  mainmast 
below ;  this  being  done,  the  axes  were  at  hand  to  cut 
away  the  masts. 

I  have  before  remarked  that  Captain  G.  was  an  old, 
experienced  seaman  ;  and  I  never  saw,  before  or  since^ 
more  coolness,  judgment,  and  seamanship,  than  were  dis- 
played by  him  on  this  trying  occasion.     In  this  perilous 
trial,  the  most  intense  anxiety  was  manifested  by  the 
crew,  and  then  was  heard  the  deep-toned  voice  of  Cap^ 
tain  G.,  rising  above  the  bellowing  storm,  commanding 
silence.     "  Take  the  wheel,"  said  he  to  me ;  and  then 
followed  the  orders  in  quick  succession :  "  Lay  aft,  and 
man  the  braoos — see  every  thing  clear  forward  to  wear 
ship  —  steady — -ease  her  ^-shiver  away  the  main-top- 
sail— pat  your  helm  up  —  haul  in  the  weather  fore- 
braces,  and  gather  in  the  after-yards."     The  ship  was 
now  running  before  the  wind  for  a  few  moments  dinict- 
ly  for  the  rocks ;  the  situation  and  scene  were  triply 
awful,  for  she  was  not  more  than  three  hundred  yaris 
from  the  breakers.     I  turned  my  head  aside  —  being  t\t 
the  helm  — to  avoid  the   terrific  sight,   and   silently 
{awaited   the  crisis.     I  was  roused  at  this  moment  by 
[Capt.  G.,  who  shouted,  *' She  luffs,  my  boys!  brace  the 
main-yard  sharp  up  • —  haul  in  the  larboard  fore-braces  ^ — 
down  with  the  fore-tack,  lads,  and  haul  aft  the  sheet ;  «-«- 
right  the  helm!  steady,   so -^ haul  taut  the  weather- 
braces,  and  belay  all,"     These  orders  weyes  given  and 
[executed  in  quick  succession.     The  ship  was  now  on  the 
starboard  tack,  plunging  bows  under  at  every  pitch, 
lasting  a  fitful  glance  over  my  shoulder,  I  saw  that  we 
kere  apparently  to  leeward  of  the  rocks.     Very  soon, 
lowever,  it  was  quite  perceptible  that  the  tide  had  taken 
ler  on  the  lee  beam,  and  was  setting  her  off  shore. 
23* 


>  ' 


850 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


In- 


f 

f 

I 

It. 

t 

I 


m 


••J 

HI       f 


3 

I 

:>  3i{ 

,'■   *» 

^* 


The  gloom  began  now  to  wear  away,  although  it  was 
doubtful  whether  we  should  be  able  to  reach  the  bank, 
and,  if  successful,  whether  the  anchors  would  hold  on. 
Orders  were  given  to  lay  aloft  and  send  down  the  top- 
gallant-yards, masts,  &-C.     The  helm  was  relieved,  and 
I  sprung  into  the  main  rigging,  the  chief  mate  going  up 
forward.      With  much  difficulty,  I  reached  the  main- 
topmast  cross-trees,  and,  when  there,  it  was  almost  im- 
possible to  work,  for  the  ship  lay  over  at  an  angle  of  at 
least   forty-five  degrees,  and  I  found  myself  swinging 
not  perpendicularly  over  the  ship's  deck,  but  at  least 
thirty  feet  from  it.   It  was  no  time,  however,  for  gazing, 
The  yard  rope  was  stoppered  out  on  the  quarter  of  the 
yard,  the  sheets,  clewlines,  and  buntlines,  cast  off,  and 
the  lift  slackened,  and  then  simultaneously  from  both 
mast-heads  the  cry  was  aeard,  "  Sway  away  !  "     The 
parrel  cut,  the  yard  was  quickly  topped  and  unrigged,  and 
then  lowered  away  on  deck.     The  next  duty  to  per- 
form was  sendmg  down  the  top-gallantmasts.      After 
much  difficulty  and  hard  work,  this  was  also  accom- 
plished ;  and  although  I  felt  some  pride  in  the  perform- 
ance of  a  dangerous  service,  yet,  on  this  occasion,  I  wasj 
not  a  little  pleased  when  I  reached  the  deck  in  safety. 

By  this  time,  we  had  gained  four  mites  off  shore,  atn 
it  was  evident  that  the  soundings  indicated  our  ap-j 
proach  to  the  bank.  Tackles  were  rove  and  stretchedf 
along  forward  of  tiie  windlass,  as  well  as  deck-stoppers  I 
hooked  on  to  the  ringbolts  fore  and  aft.  ''  Loose  the! 
fore-topsail !  "  shouted  Capt.  G. ;  "  we  must  reach  thi$l 
bank  before  the  tide  turns,  or  by  morning  there  will  not! 
be  left  a  timber-head  of  this  ship,  nor  one  of  us,  to  tellj 
the  sad  tale  of  our  disaster."  The  topsail  was  1( 
and  set,  and  the  ship  groaned  heavily  under  the  iml 
mensc  pressure  of  cativass ;  her  lee  rail  was  iiiiderj 
water,  and  every  moment  it  was  expected  that  the  top| 
mast  or  the  canvass  would  yield.  The  deep-sea- 
was  taken  forward  and  hove  :  when  the  line  reache 
the  after-part  of  the  main  channels,  the  seaman's  voio 
rose  high  in  the  air,  "By  the  deep,  nine !  "  It  was  thr 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


251 


ugh  it  was 
^  the  bank, 
lid  hold  on. 
vn  the  top- 
el  ieved,  and 
ite  going  up 
i  the  main- 
is  almost  im- 
1  angle  of  at 
lelf  swinging 

but  at  least 
Ir,  for  gazing. 
quarter  of  the 

cast  off,  and 
s\v  from  hoth 
^  ,r  \  »     The 

d  unrigged,  a™ 
xt  duty  to  per- 
tmasts.      Aftei 
ras  also  accom- 
in  the  perform- 

occasion,  1  was 
[eck  in  safbty. 

,goff  shore,  and 
riicated   our  ap- 
L  and  stretched! 
las  deck-stopFts, 

nust  reach  this' 
ig  there  will  not 

me  of  us,  to  te 
,sail  was  loosed 

under  the  m- 

,raU  was  undet 

ted  that  the  fo? 

he  deep-sea-lej 

the  line  reaches] 

seaman's  voK 

p»  It  was  thr 


o'clock.     "  Clew  up  and  furl  the  fore-topsail !  '♦  shouted 
Capt.  G.    The  topsail  furled  of  itself,  for  the  moment 
the  weather  sheet  was  started,  it  blew  away  from  the 
bolt-rope ;  the  foresail  was  immediately  hauled  up  and 
furled.    Relieved  from  the  great  pressure  of  canvass,  and 
having  now  nothing  on  her  except  the  main-topsail  and 
foro-topmast-staysail,  she  rode  more  upright.   The  main- 
topsail  was  clewed  up  and  fortunately  saved,  the  mizzen- 
staysail  was  set.     "  Stand  by  to  cut  away  the  stoppers 
of  the  best  bower-anchor  —  to  let  it  go  stock  and  fluke," 
said  Capt.  6.    ''  Man  the   fore-topmast-staysail   down- 
haul  ;  put  your  helm  down !  haul  down  the  staysail." 
This  was  done,  and  the  ship  came  up  handsomely,  head 
to  wind.     "  See  the  cable  tiers  all  clear  —  what  water 
is  there  ? "  said  Capt.  G.     The  leadsman  sung  out  in  a 
clear  voice,  '*  And  a  half  eight !  "   By  this  time,  the  ship 
had  lost  her  way.     "  Are  you  all  clear  forward  there  ?  " 
"  Ay,  ay !  sir,"  was  the  reply.     "  Stream  the  buoy,  and 
let  go  the  anchor !  "  shouted  Capt.  G.     The  order  was 
executed  as  rapidly  as  it  was  given ;  the  anchor  was  on 
the  bottom,  and  already  had  fifty  fathoms  of  cable  run 
out,  making  the  windlass  smoke;  and,  although  the 
cable  was  weather-bitted,  and  eveiy  effort  was  made 
with  the  deck-stoppers  and  tackles  to  check  her,  all  was 
fruitless.   Ninety  fathoms  of  cable  hau  run  out.    "  Stand 
by  to  let  go   the  larboard  anchor,"  -  said  Captain  G.  ; 
"Cheerily,  men,  let  go ! "  In  the  same  breath  he  shouted 
"Hold  on  !  "  for  just  then  there  was  a  lull,  and  having 
ran  out  the  best  bower-cable,  nearly  to  the  better  end, 
she  brought  up.     No  time  was  now  lost  in  getting  ser- 
vice on  the  cable,  to  prevent  its  chafing.     She  was  now 
riding  to  a  single  anchor  of  two  thousand  weight,  with 
one  hundred  fathoms  of  a  seventeen-inch  hemp  cable. 
|The  sea  rolled  heavily,  and  broke  in  upon  the  deck  fore 
d  aft ;  the  lower  yards  were  got  down ;  the  topsail- 
ards  pointed  to  the  wind ;  and  as  the  tide  had  now 
umed,  the  ship  rode  without  any  strain  on  her  cable, 
lecause  it  tended  broad  on  the  beam. 
The  next  morning  presented  a  dismal  scene,  for  thera 


'■n 


^. 


*m 


252 


LlfE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


Iff. 
Iff 


I..  >•' 


J 

^ 
^ 
■% 


■..k 


*j 


'Ml  .ft 


r 

SI 


•^1  m 

hi 

ST* 


were  more  than  fifty  sail  in  shore  of  us,  some  of  whom 
succeeded  in  reaching  the  bank,  and  anchored  with  loss 
of  sails,  topmasts,  &.c.  Many  others  were  dashed  upon 
the  rocks,  and  not  a  soul  was  left  to  tell  the  tale  of  their 
destruction.  I  shall  not  forget  that,  on  the  second  day, 
a  Dutch  galliot  was  driven  in  to  leeward  of  us ;  and 
although,  by  carrying  on  a  tremendous  press  of  can- 
vass,  she  succeeded  in  keeping  off  shore  until  5  P.  M., 
yet  at  sunset  she  disappeared,  and  was  seen  no  more. 
After  our  arrival  in  London,  we  learned  that  this  unfor- 
tunate  vessel  was  driven  on  the  rocks,  and  every  soul 
on  board  perislied. 

The  gale  continued  four  days,  at  the  expiration  of 
which  time  it  broke.  At  midnight,  the  wind  hauled 
round  to  the  eastward,  and  the  weather  became  so 
excessively  cold,  that,  although  we  commenced  heaving 
in  the  cable  at  6  A.  M.,  yet  we  did  not  get  the  anchor 
until  9  that  night.  Close-reefed  topsails  were  set  on 
the  ship,  and  we  stood  oirer  to  the  Bnglish  coast,  and 
anchored  to  the  westward  of  Dungeness.  During  the 
whole  period  of  this  gale,  which  lasted  four  days,  Capt. 
G.  never  for  one  moment  left  the  deck ;  and  although 
well  advanced  in  years,  yet  his  iron  constitution  enabled 
him  to  overcome  the  calls  of  nature  for  rest ;  and,  not' 
withstanding  the  situation  of  the  ship  was  perhaps 
more  critical  than  many  of  those  less  fortunate  vessels 
which  stranded  upon  the  rocks,  yet  his  coolness,  and  the 
seaman-like  manner  with  which  the  ship  was  handled, 
no  doubt  were  the  means  of  our  being  saved. 

January  22.  —  The  next  morning,  we  took  a  pilot  on 
board ;  but  the  wind  continuing  to  blow  fresh  from  the 
eastward)  and  Dungeness  making  a  good  lee,  with  the 
wind  at  that  point,  we  did  not  get  under  way  uotil 
January  27th,  and  then  experienced  fresh  gales  and 
head  winds,  which  prevented  our  reaching  Gravesend  I 
until  the  31st;  where  we  exchanged  the  Dover  pilot 
for  one  belonging  to  the  river,  who  understood  his 
business,  and  who  took  the  ship  up  the  river  into  the 
X^ndon  dock  in  handsome  style,  on  the  3d  day  of  Feb* 


LirE    ON  THB   OCEAN. 


253 


)  of  whom 
i  with  loss 
ashed  upon 
;ale  of  their 
jecond  day, 
of  us ;  and 
ress  of  caii- 
itil  6  P.  M., 
jn  no  more, 
t  this  unfor- 
[  every  soul 

xpiration  of 
wind  hauled 
.  became  so 
need  heaving 
,t  the  anchor 

were  set  on 

fih  coast,  and 

During  the 

ur  days,  Capt. 

and  although 

llution  enabled 

[est ;  and,  not- 

was   perhaps 

•tunate  vessels 

,lness,  and  the 
was  handled, 

red. 
took  a  pilot  on 
■resh  from  the 
i  lee,  with  the 
[der  way  uutij 
tesh  gJ^les  and 
ing  Gravesend 

le  Dover  pdo^ 

Luderstood  his 

river  into  the 

;d  day  of  Feb- 


ruary. Thus  it  will  be  perceived  that  we  were  four  and 
a  half  days  longer  from  Falmouth  to  London,  a  distance 
not  exceeding  two  hundred  miles,  than  from  Baltimore 
to  Falmouth,  a  distance  of  three  thousand  miles. 

The  cargo  was  discharged  with  all  possible  despatch, 
and,  as  the  ship  leaked  badly,  she  was  taken  into  dry 
dock,  and,  on  her  bottom  being  overhauled,  some  leaks 
were  discovered  and  stopped ;  after  which  she  was 
hauled  into  the  London  dock,  and  entered  for  loading. 
In  this  dock  we  remained  for  more  than  two  months,  a 
space  of  time  which  passed  more  heavily  and  tediously 
than  any  I  had  ever  experienced,  by  reason  of  the  strict 
regulations ;  viz.,  the  dock-gates  were  locked  at  4  o'clock ; 
all  fires  were  then  extinguished,  and  no  fire  was  per- 
mitted until  daylight  the  next  morning.  Of  course,  at 
this  season  of  the  year  the  days  were  short,  it  being 
dark  at  5  o'clock,  so  that  there  were  about  fourteen  hours 
in  every  twenty-four  without  fire,  in  those  long,  dreary, 
cold  nights;  and  thera  was  no  possible  way  of  evading 
the  vigilance  of  those  who  kept  watch.  I  embraced  the 
opportunity  frequently  to  visit  my  kind  hostess,  who 
entertained  me  so  hospitably  when  I  came  to  this  place 
from  Dartmoor  prison.  Many  cheerful  hours  were  spent 
in  the  society  of  this  hospitable  family.  They  frequently 
pressed  me  to  make  their  house  my  home  during  my 
I  stay  in  London,  which  ofifer  was  cordially  accepted  as 
far  as  was  practicable  apart  from  the  duties  of  the  ship. 


\ 


^ii 


254 


t 

c 

ft 

t 
I 
h 


I 

C; 

i: 

t 


'■? 


IS.     • 

w  * 
»* 

5T» 


*i  2;l 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

PASSAGE   FROM   LONDON  TO   BALTIMORE VOYAGE    TO    OPORTO 

AND   ST.    UBES DISASTER  ON   OPORTO   BAR,    &>C. 

April  10.  —  We  had  now  completed  taking  in  our 
cargo  ;  and  every  thing  being  ready  for  sea,  we  hauled 
out  of  dock  on  the  morning  of  the  11th,  and  stood  down 
the  river  with  a  fair  wind.     The  river  pilot  was  ex- 
changed at  (jrravesend  for  a  Dover  pilot,  after  which  we 
had  light,  bafl9ling  winds,  and  did  not  reach  the  South 
Foreland  until  the  14th,  when  the  pilot  was  discharged, 
sail  was  made,  and  we  stood  down  the  Channel  with  a 
light,  easterly  wind.     Not  long  after  getting  into  sea- 
way, the    ship  leaked  as  badly  as  ever,  so  that,  after 
passing  the  Scilly  Isles,  fears  were  entertained  that  we 
should  have  to  put  back,  as  it  required  one  pump  to  be 
kept  going  continually,  and  in  heavy  weather  both  were 
necessary  to  keep  her  free.     Fortunately,  however,  we 
had  but  few  gales;  and  as  we  took  the  wind  to  the 
northward,  after  leaving  the  Channel,  we  fell  into  the 
middle  latitude,  from  which  it  was  almost  impossible  to 
get  either  to  the  northward  or  southward.     In  this  lati- 
tude, we  had  a  long  course  of  light,  southerly  winds, 
veering  frequently  to  the  westwEird  ;  and  during  the  whole 
course  of  our  long  passage,  which  was  ninety  days,  we 
had  but  one  gale,  and  the  remainder  was  a  constant 
succession  of  light,  westerly  winds,  with  but  few  excep- 
tions. 

We  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  July  7th,  after  a  | 
most  tedious  and  unpleasant  passage  of  eighty-seven 
days,  short  of  provisions  and  water,  with  a  leaky  ship, 
and  discontent  and  discord  prevailing  among  the  crew. 
This  state  of  insubordination  rendered  the  situation  of  j 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


255 


E    TO    OPORTO 

R,  &c. 

iking  in  our 
ja,  we  hauled 
d  stood  down 
pilot  was  ex- 
fter  which  we 
ich  the  South 
as  discharged, 
!hannel  with  a 
ting  into  sea- 
so  that,  after 
tained  that  we 
ae  pump  to  be 
Lher  both  were 
however,  we 
wind  to  the 
fell  into  the 
impossible  to 
In  this  lati- 
atherly  winds, 
ting  the  whole 
nety  days,  we 
as  a  constant 
»ut  few  excep- 

lly  7th,  after  a 

eighty-seven 

la  leaky  ship, 

long  the  crew. 

|e  situation  of 


the  officers  exceedingly  unpleasant,  as  the  duties  of  the 
ship  must  be  enforced  at  all  hazards;  consequently, 
frequent  conflicts  with  the  sailors  were  not  unusual, 
and  when  chastisement  had  not  the  desired  effect,  we 
found  the  surest  method  to  bring  them  to  their  senses 
was,  to  stop  the  provisions;  this  generally  succeeded. 
It  was  a  matter  of  great  satisfaction  to  me  when  we 
arrived  in  Baltimore,  on  the  10th,  after  a  passage  of 
ninety  days  from  London. 

I  took  up  my  residence  in  the  family  of  Mrs.  J.,  where 
I  received  every  mark  of  kindness  and  attention,  and 
for  whom  I  formed  a  strong  attachment,  and  had  reason 
to  believe  it  was  reciprocated  by  them.     This  family 
consisted  of  Mrs.  J.,  four  daughters,  and  two  sons.     The 
two  elder  daughters  were  probably,  at  this  time,  about 
fifteen  and  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  were  what  are 
generally  called  handsome  brunettes — pleasing  in  their 
manners,  and  possessing  all  that  good-humor  and  vivacity 
which  distinguish  them  from  the  frigid  austerity  pecu- 
liar to  the  northern  ladies.     Through  their  influence  and 
introduction  I  soon  formed  an  extensive  acquaintance, 
by  which  my  time  not  only  passed  ofl"  agreeably,  but 
flew,  as  it  were,  on  golden  wings  ;  and  associations  were 
now  formed  that  fixed  the  destinies  of  my  after  life. 
Mrs.  J.  was  a  widow  of  about  forty-five  years  of  age  :  the 
morning  of  her  life  had  been  peculiarly  marked  with 
the  sunshine  of  prosperity  ;  but  the  evening  of  her  days, 
and  widowhood,  were  shrouded  in  the  gloom  of  adver- 
sity;   reverses  had   taken    place,   and,  by  one  or  two 
mysterious  acts  of  Providence,  she  was  not  only  deprived 
of  nearly  all  her  substance,  but  also  of  the  partner  of 
her  joys  and  sorrows.     She  bore  these  adverse  provi- 
dences with  becoming  Christian  fortitude  ;  for  she  feared 
God,  and,  notwithstanding  all  these  blighting  discourage- 
ments, she  did  not  give  way  to  despondency  or  despair ; 
[but,  feeling  a  just  sense  of  obligation  to  her  children, 
jShe  toiled  day  and  night  for  their  welfare.     Providence, 
I  accompanying  those  efforts  with  its  blessing,  enabled  her 
I  to  rear  her  children  in  great  respectability.     When  I  first 


256 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


■M 


8 


■.:* 


*f' 


'mi:*" 
J*' 

N.IU 


t 

Mi 
t 


"ft.* 


became  acquainted  in  this  family,  and  learned  the  cir- 
cumstances which  have  been  related,  it  was  not  strange, 
especially  as  my  temperament  was  of  a  sanguine  cast, 
that  I  should  take  a  deep  interest  in  their  welfare ;  and, 
whether  I  was  worthy  or  unworthy  of  their  faith,  yet 
great  confidence  was  reposed  in  me  by  them ;  and  I 
began  to  suspect  that  the  strong  attachment  I  had  for 
them  might  possibly  eventuate  in  something  nearer 
than  mere  friendship.  I  was  the  more  confirmed  in  this 
by  having,  as  it  were  insensibly,  bestowed  some  marked 
civilities  and  attentions  on  the  eldest  daughter,  who 
at  that  time  had  more  than  one  admirer.  Thus,  then, 
stood  the  situation  of  affairs,  when  application  was  made 
to  me  to  go  as  mate  of  the  ship  W.  P.,  Captain  S.,  bound 
for  Oporto,  St.  Ubes,  and  back  to  the  United  States.  As 
I  had  been  on  shore  nearly  two  months  and  a  half,  and 
the  wages  and  employ  were  good,  I  accepted  the  offer, 
and  immediately  went  on  board,  and  took  in  a  cargo, 
which  consisted  of  corn  in  bulk.  In  about  a  fortnight 
the  ship  was  ready  for  sea. 

The  day  appointed  for  sailing  had  arrived,  and  all 
hands  were  on  board ;  and  after  I  had  bidden  adieu  to 
the  interesting  family  with  whom  I  lived,  and  for  whom 
I  had  the  strongest  attachment,  next  to  my  own  mother 
and  sisters,  the  ship  was  cast  off  from  the  wharf,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  we  were  under  a  press  of  canvass,  stand- 
ing down  the  river  with  a  light  westerly  wind.  My 
feelings  at  this  time  were  peculiar,  and  such  as  I  had  j 
never  experienced  before  when  leaving  my  native  land. 
Certainly,  when  I  left  Boston  on  my  first  voyage,  such  | 
was  the  difference  in  my  condition  from  a  clerk  in 
counting-house  to  a  common  Jack  before  the  mast,  thatl 
I  could  not  help  feeling  some  regret  at  the  change— I 
especially  as  the  tall  spires  of  the  city  receded  in  the! 
distance  ;  but  then  the  change  was  of  my  own  seeking ij 
consequently,  ambition  came  to  my  relief,  and  soonj 
those  feelings  gave  place  to  the  exciting  scenes  induced! 
by  the  novelty  of  the  ship's  duty.  The  case,  howeverj 
now,  was  entirely  different.     I  had  been  eight  yea 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


257 


id  the  cir- 
ol  strange, 
^uine  cast, 
Ifare;  and, 
r  faith,  yet 
em ;  and  I 
t  1  had  for 
hing  nearer 
rmed  in  this 
ome  marked 
ighter,  who 
Thus,  then, 
on  was  made 
ainS.,  hound 
1  States.    As 
id  a  half,  and 
ted  the  offer, 
t  in  a  cargo, 
ut  a  fortnight 

■rived,  and  all 
'idden  adieu  to 
and  for  whom 
7  own  mother 
wharf,  and  in 
•anvass,  stand- 
by wind.    My 
such  as  I  had 
ly  native  land. 
voyage,  such 
,  a  clerk  in  a 
the  mast,  that 
the  change -- 
receded  in  the 
f  own  seeking; 
lief,  and  soon 
Wenes  induced 
[case,  howevetif 
\n  eight  yei>« 


following  a  sea  life,  and  my  relatives  were  far  distant. 
What  bond  was  it  that  had  insensibly  gathered  around 
my  feelings,  and  caused  so  much  regret,  and,  as  I  thsn 
thought,  unwillingness  to  depait  ?  Surely,  thought  I,  a 
new  era  must  have  sprung  up  in  my  existence;  and 
although,  at  first,  I  was  unwilling  to  believe  that  any 
serious  attachment  had  been  formed  for  any  member  of 
the  family  of  Mrs.  J.,  yet  conviction  flashed  over  my 
mind  with  all  the  force  of  truth,  and,  revolving  over 
how  these  new  feelings  would  terminate,  I  was  aroused 
from  my  reverie  by  an  order  from  the  pilot  to  set  the 
topmast  and  top-gallant-studding-sails. 

The  ship  was  deeply  laden,  and  moved  heavily  through 
the  water ;  but  we  had  a  fair  wind,  and  reached  Cape 
Henry  in  two  days,  where  we  discharged  the  pilot,  and, 
on  the  28th  September,  1816,  took  our  departure  from 
Cape  Henry,  at  4  P.  M.,  bearing  north-west,  distant  four 
leagues.  As  usual  when  leaving  the  land,  the  watches 
were  chosen,  and  as  the  manner  of  it  has  already  been 
detailed,  I  shall  enter  into  no  further  particulars.  After 
the  watches  had  been  chosen,  Captain  S.  made  the 
following  speech  to  the  crew :  —  "  In  the  first  place,"  said 
he,  "  you  will  disinctly  understand,  that  n«>  s  wearing 
or  fighting  is  allowed  on  board  of  this  ship  :  be  obedient 
to  the  ofiicers,  and  discharge  your  duty,  and  you  will  be 
used  well.  You  shall  have  the  forenoon  watch  below, 
and  watch  and  watch  in  bad  weather.  Saturdays  will 
be  allowed  you  to  cleanse  the  forecastle,  wash  and 
mend  your  clothes,  &c.,  as  I  shall  permit  nothing  of 
that  kind  to  be  done  qn  the  Sabbath  day."  I  was 
much  pleased  with  this  harangue,  as  it  spoke  favor- 
ably for  the  future  treatment  of  the  crew.  In  this  I 
was  not  disappointed.  Captain  S.  was  a  native  of 
Nantucket,  and  had,  in  his  younger  days,  followed  the 
[whale  fishery.     He  was  kind  and  benevolent,  moral  in 

5  deportment,  and  a  first-rate  seaman  and  navigatof. 
[He  was  companionable  and  gentlemanly,  and  yet  kept 
|up  as  good  discipline  as  could  be  exerted  on  board  of 
|a  merchant  ship.     The  second  mate  was  a  young  man 


n 


258 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


I 

t,T^ 

1       <  - '! 

1       ^  * 

1     c  n 

1     .^  ^  ^ 

I 

i,^* 

i«  4,;:; 

^    2  ^'* 

> 

:f: 

r 

;i|\ 

It;  ■> 

% 

% 

1 

i  I 

n    ■'  ■■■' 

V 

fcd  ^i  ■' 

'  tr^'S^ 

* 

■■     H    • 

i« 

:     «l    « 

1).  <id 

;5i» 

•n 

.  naJl 

kq 

'  5TI* 

^ 

1  Xm 

%l 

^ 

of  twenty,  limited  in  his  experience,  though  active  and 
foremost  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  devolving  to  his 
station.  The  crew,  twelve  in  number,  (including  the 
cook  and  steward,)  were  generally  stout,  able  seamen; 
and,  although  somewhat  refractory,  owing  probably  to 
the  continual  state  of  inebriation  indulged  in  while  on 
shore,  yet  the  firmness  and  decision  of  Captain  S.  soon 
brought  them  to  their  senses,  and  finer  seamen,  or  better 
disposed  men,  never  were  on  board  of  a  ship. 

My  observations  on  the  judicious  conduct  of  Captain 
S.  induced  me  to  believe  that,  by  a  proper  course  of 
treatment  to  sailors,  many  of  the  evils  and  hardships 
experienced  by  seamen  may,  in  a  great  degree  at  least, 
be  alleviated ;  and  although  there  are  instances  where 
the  best  treatment  is  observed  towards  a  crew  by  the 
officers,  nevertheless  the  basest  ingratitude  is  sometimes 
exhibited  by  sailors  in  return,  — however,  as  a  general 
rule,  I  believe  that  good  officers  and  kind  treatment  will 
make  a  good  crew. 

Nothing  material  transpired  during  this  passage,  except 
that,  when  we  reached  Ihe  length  of  the  Banks  of  New- 
foundland, codfish  were  caught  in  great  numbers  —  so 
much  so  that,  by  corning  them,  they  lasted  us  the 
remainder  of  the  passage.  In  thirty-five  days  we  ar- 
rived off  the  harbor  of  Oporto.  Saw  a  number  of 
fishing  boats,  one  of  which  came  alongside,  and  from 
which  we  took  a  pilot  to  run  us  as  far  as  the  mouth  of 
the  harbor ;  here  it  became  necessary  to  anchor,  to  wait 
till  the  tide  served. 

The  harbor  of  Oporto  is  perhaps  as  difficult  of  af^cess 
as  any  in  the  south  of  Europe.  A  bar  lies  off  its  mouth. 
The  bottom  is  rocky,  and  has  but  twelve  feet  water  at 
2ow  tide.  The  navigation  of  the  river  is  exceedingly 
difficult,  having  many  shoals,  with  a  rapid  tide.  We 
lay  off  the  bar  thirty-six  hours,  and  exchanged  r .  -  seal 
pilot  for  two  river  pilots  ;  they  brought  with  them  two 
boats  having  a  hawser  and  kedge  in  each  ;  the  ends  of  I 
the  hawsers  were  passed  in  at  each  bow,  and  the  boatsi 
were  stationed  in  the  same  direction.     It  was  .necessary! 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


259 


3tive  and 
ng  to  bis 
Ljding  the 
i  seamen-, 
obably  to 
t  while  on 
ti  S.  soon 
n,  or  better 

of  Captain 
f  course  of 
i  hardships 
ee  at  least, 
ances  where 
•row  by  the 
is  sometimes 
as  a  general 
reatment  will 

issage,  except 
auks  of  Nevr- 
inmbers  — so 

lasted  us  the 
days  we  ar- 
«  mimber  oi 
fde,  and  from 
I  the  mouth  of 
ichor,  to  wait 


to  take  this  precaution,  on  account  of  the  rapidity  of  the 
tide  as  well  as  the  narrowness  of  the  channel. 

November  4.  —  The  tide  now  serving,  and  the  wind 
being  fair,  got  under  way,  passed  the  bar  in  safety,  and 
entered   the  river.     Here   we  found  the  utility  of  the 
boats  ;  the  channel  being  so  narrow,  and  the  tide  setting 
in  every  direction,  made  it  necessary  frequently  to  let  go 
the  kedges,  in  order  to  cant  the  ship.    The  boatmen  were 
more  active  in  working  a  kedge  than  any  that  I  had 
ever  seen ;    indeed,    it    is   highly   necessary  that   they 
should  be  so,  for  on    their   alertness  the  safety  of  the 
ship  and  cargo  oftentimes  depends.     We  arrived  off  the 
town  in  safety,  and  dropped  the  ship  into  the  pier,  head 
on ;  made  her  fast,  and  ran  an  anchor  out  astern,  to  pre- 
vent  her  from  swinging.      All    necessary   preparations 
were  made  for  discharging,  such  as  rigging  out  a  stage 
from    the    bows  to  the  pier,  dec.      It  may  be  well  to 
remark,  that  every  vessel  coming  to  this  port  with  corn 
is  obliged  to  retail  the  cargo.     This  regulation  is  a  good 
one,  because  it  affords  an  equal  chance  to  persons  of 
limited    means   to   cope  with  those  whose  means  are 
abundant.      When   the  hatches   were   opened,  the  in- 
habitants flocked  on  board  in  great  numbers,  especially 
the  women,  who,  as  I  understood,  were  the  only  persons 
that  carried  on  the  baking  business ;  and  it  was  a  mat- 
ter of  the  most  perfect  astonishment  to  see  those  women 
carry  from  three  to  four  bushels  of  corn  on  their  heads 
a  distance  of  half  a  mile,  and,  for  the  most  part,  up  a  steep 
hill.     These  women  are  rather  of  low  stature,  with  a 
broad   chest,  and  in  all   respects   very   stoutly   made. 
They  are  a  most  hardy  race,  being  a  mixture  of  the 
Moor   and   Portuguese.      They    appear    to   have    iron 
constitutions  ;  and,  although  laboring  incessantly  in  all 
kinds  of  weather,   they  never   shrink  from  the    most 
severe  tofl. 

Oporto  lies  in  the  parallel  of  41°  IV  north  latitude, 
and  8^  38'  west  longitude.  It  cannot  be  seen  from  sea- 
ward ;  but  when  in  the  harbor,  its  lofty  buildings  and 
tall  spires  present  a  fine,  commanding  appearance  —  es- 
pecinUy  as  you  have  at  one  view  a  sight  of  nearly  the 


i.M  -.1 


2b0 


LIFE    ON    THE    0CEA*4. 


Nl       It. 

1^.1 


I  _ 

•ri 
t 


fctiW 


■<ri 


l»i   .ltd 


•whole  city,  it  being  built  on  the  side  of  a  hill ;  but,  like 
all  other  Portuguese  cities,  the  streets  are  narrow  and 
dirty,  and  the  interior  of  many  of  the  houses  compels 
one  to  believe  that  misery  dwells  there.  This  opinion 
is  much  strengthened  from  the  fact,  that  the  streets 
swarm  with  beggars  of  every  description,  from  the 
priest,  in  his  canonical  robes,  down  to  the  squalid,  misera- 
ble wretch,  whose  loathsomeness  and  importunity  often- 
times oblige  one  to  turn  away  with  the  greatest  disgust. 
There,  too,  may  be  seen,  at  almost  every  bend  and  corner 
of  the  streets,  a  mendicant  friar  with  a  small  picture  of 
the  Virgin  Mary,  or  of  the  Savior  upon  the  cross ;  this 
is  presented  to  every  one  that  passes  by,  and  the 
greatest  importunity  is  made  by  the  priest  for  alms  in 
the  name  of  the  Virgin,  or  of  the  Savior,  as  the  case 
may  be.  If  the  person  addressed  be  a  Portuguese,  he 
is  obliged  to  give  something,  or  kiss  the  image ;  and 
should  a  foreigner  be  importuned,  which  is  not  often 
the  case,  they  g(  uerally  give  a  few  pence,  to  get  clear  of 
these  miserable  men.  But,  of  all  the  impositions  which 
are  carried  on,  none  appear  to  me  to  savor  so  much  of 
injustice  and  oppression  as  the  exaction  of  tithes.  On 
board  of  our  ship  there  were  four  priests  stationed,  who 
obliged  every  person  purchasing  corn  to  deliver  unto 
them  a  tenth  part.  I  have  seen  these  priests,  in  many 
instances,  wrest  from  the  poor  people — who  perhaps  were 
not  able  to  purchase  more  than  one  bushel  —  their  quota 
of  corn,  notwithstanding  the  poor  wretches  would  plead 
for  exemption  in  the  most  pitiable  manner ;  nevertheless, 
these  mis'-'^an*:^  were  inexorable.  This  was  also  the 
case  with  tne  poor  fishertTien,  who,  after  great  toil  and 
exposure,  V  ad  succeeded  m  obtaining  a  quantity  of  fish  ; 
yet  they  were  not  privileged  to  dispose  of  any  until  the 
priests  had  selected  their  part,  which  in  every  instance 
were  the  best  fish.  Away,  then,  thought  I,  with  a 
religion  which  countenances  so  much  intolerance  or 
oppression  !  Tlie  spirit  of  Christianity  does  not  inculcate, 
neither  do  its  heavenly  precepts  teach,  the  doctrine,  to 
grind  the  face  of  the  poor.     And  how  little,  thought  I, 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


261 


but,  like 
TOW  and 
compels 
s  opinion 
le  streets 
from  the 
[d,  misera- 
lity  oflen- 
st  disgust, 
and  corner 
picture  of 
cross;  this 
,   and  the 
or  alms  in 
as  the  case 
;uguese,  he 
mage ;  and 
s  not  often 
get  clear  of 
itions  which 
o  much  of 
tithes.    On 
tioned,  who 
Lcliver  unto 
Its,  in  many 
irhapswere 
their  quota 
/ould  plead 
levertheless, 
/as  also  the 
|eat  toil  and 
ttity  of  fish ; 
iny  until  the 
evy  instance 
,t  1,  with  a 
tolerance  or 
Lot  inculcate, 
*  doctrine,  to 
e,  thought  1, 


do  our  countrymen  appreciate  the  blessings  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty,  and  the  superior  advantages  which 
they  enjoy  over  the  greater  part  of  the  nations  of 
Europe,  especially  those  who  are  under  the  dominion 
of  Catholicism. 

In  twenty-six  days  the  cargo  was  all  sold,  the  specie 
on  board,  the  ship  ballasted,  and  ready  for  sea,  being 
now  bound  to  St.  Ubes  for  a  cargo  of  salt.  We  had  the 
same  pilots  and  boats  who  brought  us  into  port.  Drop- 
ped down  to  the  naouth  of  the  river  in  company  with  an 
American  bark,  bound  also  to  St.  Ubes.  The  weather 
being  boisterous,  and  the  tide  not  serving,  we  lay  two 
days  at  anchor ;  at  the  expiration  of  which,  got  under 
way  to  cross  the  bar.  This  was  in  opposition  to  the 
judgment  of  Capt.  S.,  because  at  the  time  there  were 
"neap  tides,"  the  weather  was  squally,  and  the  wind 
scant,  and  probably  there  would  be  barely  sufficient 
water  to  carry  the  ship  over  the  bar.  Now,  as  we  had 
specie  to  the  amount  of  fourteen  thousand  dollars,  and 
the  pilots  were  not  much  better  than  Moors,  Capt.  S. 
was  fearful  that  they  had  taken  this  opportunity  to  cross 
the  bar  with  a  view  that  the  ship  might  strike,  and  in 
that  case,  they  v/ould  most  certainly  get  a  heavy  haul  at 
the  specie.  On  reaching  the  bar,  the  wind  headed  off, 
and  the  ship  beat  violently  U}x>n  the  rocks,  breaking  all 
the  pintles  of  the  rudder  except  the  upper  one.  By 
dint  of  great  exertion  and  management  of  the  sails,  we 
got  her  over  the  bar,  and  came  to  an  anchor.  The  rud- 
der still  continuing  to  hang  on,  we  secured  its  head  as 
far  as  practicable,  and  concluded  to  make  the  best  of 
our  way  to  St.  Ubes,  in  preference  to  going  back  to 
Oporto,  especially  as  the  captain  of  the  bark  agreed 
to  keep  company  in  case  of  accident. 

When  three  days  out,  we  experienced  a  heavy  gale ; 

but,  to  our  great  satisfaction,  the  rudder  contiimed  in  its 

place.     After  the  gale  had  moderated,  however,  and  the 

wind  had  fallen  to  nearly  a  calm,  (there  being  eonsider- 

lable  swell  at  the  time,)  the  pintles  all  gave  way,  and 

I  down  went  the  rudder.     We  had  taken  the  previous 

24* 


i    H 


262 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEANT. 


f 

c 

I 

S 

I 

s 

c 

ton 

5:: 


8 


Ml      •> 


S*:» 


»3.  *    .0f- 


•M  'hi 

^1 


precaution  to  reeve  a  stout  rope  through  the  rudder- 
head;  and  as  the  casing  was  wide,  the  rope  ran  out 
freely,  and  by  this  means  we  saved  it.  A  signal  now 
was  hove  out  to  the  bark,  which  was  still  in  sight; 
she  came  up  and  took  us  in  tow ;  after  which,  the  rudder, 
although  of  immense  weight,  was  hoisted  on  deck.  On 
examination,  it  w£^  found  that  the  composition  pintles, 
four  in  number,  were  broken  off;  the  only  one  remain- 
ing was  of  iron,  which  hung  between  the  water's  edge 
and  the  head  of  the  rudder.  As  it  may  be  of  importance 
to  some  of  my  readers,  I  will  describe  the  manner  in 
which  we  proceeded,  in  order  that  the  rudder  might  be 
re-hung  to  steer  the  ship  to  her  destined  port. 

In  the  first  place,  the  iron  pintle  was  taken  off,  and 
the  bearding  of  the  rudder  above  the  lower  pintle  was 
cut  away,  so  as  to  fit  the  iron  pintle  in  its  place ;  then 
two  square  holes  were  cut  in  the  forward  part  of  the 
rudder,  through  which  was  rove  a  large  rope,  with  a 
topsail-sheet  knot  in  each  end ;  at  the  head  of  the  rud- 
der, a  large  ringbolt  was  driven.  These  preparations 
being  made,  it  was  hoisted  out,  as  well  as  the  boat ;  the 
ends  of  the  two  large  ropes  wern  then  taken  in  at  each 
gangway,  and  led  to  the  windlass,  and,  to  our  great 
satisfaction,  although  there  was  a  considerable  swell, 
the  first  attempt  that  was  made,  (after  we  had  hoisted 
the  rudder  up  the  casing  by  sheers,)  we  succeeded  in 
hanging  it ;  after  which,  the  ropes  at  the  windlass  were 
hove  taut,  so  as  to  secure  the  heel  to  the  stern  post. 
Straps  were  fitted  to  go  over  the  rudder-head,  and 
secured  to  the  deck,  in  order  to  keep  it  in  its  place; 
the  tiller  was  then  shipped,  and  we  found  that  she 
answered  her  helm  the  same  as  ever.  The  hawser 
was  now  cast  off  from  the  bark,  all  sail  was  made, 
with  a  fair  wind,  and  in  two  days  we  arrived  safely  at 
the  port  of  St.  Ubes. 


263 


US 


le  rudder- 
e  ran  out 
ignal  now 

in  sight; 
the  rudder, 
deck.  On 
ion  pintles, 
,ne  remaiu- 
(rater's  edge 
importance 

manner  in 
ler  miglit  be 

t. 

ken  off,  and 
sr  pintle  was 
;  place ;  then 
I  part  of  the 
rope,  with  a 
^d  of  the  rud- 
preparations 
the  boat ;  the 
en  in  at  each 
to  our  great 
lerable  swell, 
had  hoisted 
succeeded  in 
nndlass  were 
le  stem  post. 
,er-head,  and 
in  its  place; 
md  that  she 
The   hawser 
[il  was  made, 
:ived  safely  at 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

RETURN  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES VOYAOE  TO  THE  WEST  INDIES 

SUPERNATURAL   APPEARANCES    ON   BOARD. 

Bt  the  details  in  the  preceding  chapter,  it  will  be 
seen,  that  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  have  ship- 
ped the  rudder  in   a  sea-way   if  it   had   been  one   of 
the  patent  kind ;  but  as  this  was  an  old-fashioned  one, 
and  the  casing  being  large,  little   difficulty  was  expe- 
rienced in  the  whole  operation.     Another  great  object 
was  attained :  if  the  ship  had  been  towed  into  port,  of 
course  they  would  have  claimed  a  salvage  of  at  least  ten 
or  twelve  thousand  dollars ;  as  it  was,  however,  a  small 
compensation  of  three  hundred  dollars  was  alone  award- 
ed to  the  bark,  —  so  that,  in  view  of  all  this,  the  old- 
fashioned  method  of  completing  the  rudder  and  casing 
is  preferable.     The     rudder    was  again  unhung   and 
hoisted  in ;  the  carpenter  fitted  moulds ;  and  Captain  S. 
proceeded  to  Lisbon,  and  got  a  set  of  pintles  and  braces 
cast,  which   were  fitted  on  to  the  rudder,  and  it  was 
again  put  in  its  place.  ^ 

We  now  commenced  taking  in  a  cargo  of  salt,  and  it 
was  a  matter  of  astonishment  to  see  with  what  dexterity 
and  accuracy  the  Portuguese  salt-heavers  hove  it  on  the 
deck.  Our  rail  was  at  least  ten  feet  from  the  water's 
edge ;  notwithstanding,  they  appeared  to  work  with  as 
much  ease  as  if  they  were  heaving  it  on  a  level.  Six  of 
those  men  will  do  more  work  in  a  day,  at  heaving  salt, 
than  twenty  sailors ;  this  fact  was  established  by  a  bet 
during  the  time  we  lay  there.  In  a  few  days  we  com- 
pleted taking  in  our  cargo,  and  on  the  7th  of  December 
I  got  under  way,  made  all  sail,  and  stood  to  sea,  home* 
ward  bound. 


ill, 


*^ 


:  ■! 


264 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


tr:> 

t  :•:•: 

L  I..I 

K  « • 

«f4: 

■>' 

I  r.  . 

iir: 

'n:: 

<i  '•> 

Hut! 

^ 

£!. 

I  -^ " 

«*i 

f*  ,^t '"' 

Mil 

k<I      .;,      fi 

i,-r'^ 

f     H  * 

l».  J',  n 

h  .u>d 

fcli   rioju* 

Si  n,: 

•»i     .B^jl 


The  port  of  St.  Ubes  lies  in  me  latitude  of  38°  32'  north, 
and  longitude  8°  50'  west.  It  has  a  Un^^  harbor,  where 
vessels  may  lie  with  the  most  perfect  security,  it  being 
nearly  land-locked,  and  the  entrance  is  very  narrow. 
St.  Ubes  is  an  excellent  port  for  shipping,  as  refresh- 
ments of  all  kinds  may  be  had  in  abundance,  and  at 
very  low  rates;  as  a  proof  of  this,  our  ship,  with  a  com- 
plement of  fourteen  men,  was  supplied  with  fresh  fish 
for  twelve  and  a  half  cents  per  day  ;  and  fruit,  especially 
grapes,  may  be  obtained  in  great  quantities.  The  grapes 
here  are  the  largest  and  most  delicious  that  I  have  seen 
in  any  part  of  the  world. 

The  town  of  St.  Ubes  is  small,  and  at  this  period  con- 
tained about  eight  thousand  inhabitants.  The  trade  is 
inconsiderable,  as  it  has  no  other  export  but  salt.  Busi- 
ness can  never  augment,  in  any  great  degree,  in  this 
place,  because  it  must  remain  entirely  eclipsed  by  Lis- 
bon, which  is  only  about  sixty  miles  distant  from  it. 

We  continued  our  course  southwardly,  and  on  the 
14th  of  December  saw  the  fine  island  of  Madeira,  bear- 
ing iouth-south-east  ten  leagues ;  from  this  period,  we 
had  a  fresh  breeze  until  we  reached  the  parallel  of  27^ 
north.  This  being  within  the  limit  of  the,  trade  winds, 
and  as  they  were  now  fresh  and  fair,  we  steered  away  to 
the  westward.  In  a  few  days,  however,  the  trade  winds 
became  very  light,  and  continued  so  until  we  had  run 
our  westing  up.  After  hauling  the  ship  to  the  north- 
ward, the  weather  became  boii^erous,  and  on  reaching 
the  coast  of  America,  we  had  long  and  severe  north-west 
gales.  These  head  winds,  together  with  the  light  trade 
winds,  lengthened  our  passage,  and  it  was  61  days  be- 
fore we  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  which  was  on 
the  7th  day  of  February,  1817 ;  and  it  was  not  until  the 
16th  that  we  arrived  in  Baltimore,  making  a  passage  of 
70  days.  There  is  no  class  of  persons,  perhaps,  who ' 
have  greater  enjoyment  than  seamen,  when  they  arrive  | 
in  port  after  a  long  and  boisterous  passage,  especially  if  ^ 
it  be  in  the  winter.  Indeed,  it  is  only  by  the  depriva* 
tion  of  the  social  comforts  of  home,  with  its  additional  I 


LIFE   ON   THE   OCEAN. 


265 


38°  32'  north, 
harbor,  where 
urity,  it  being 
very  narrow, 
ig,  as  refresh- 
idance.  and  at 
p,  with  a  cora- 
with  fresh  fish 
fruit,  especially 
3.     The  grapes 
lat  I  have  seen 

this  period  con- 
The  trade  is 
but  salt.     Busi- 
degree,  in  this 
eclipsed  by  Lis- 
itant  from  it. 
dly,  and  on  the 
»f  Madeira,  bear- 
this  period,  we 
,  parallel  of  27<^ 
the.  trade  winds, 
)  steered  away  to 
,  the  trade  wiuds 
ntil  we  had  run 
lip  to  the  north- 
aod  on  reaching 
severe  north-west 
th  the  light  trade 
was  61  days  be- 
7,  which  was  on 
was  not  until  the 
ing  a  passage  of 
.IS,  perhaps,  who 
when  they  arrive 
jaae,  especially  U 
by  the  depriva- 
ith  its  additional 


blessings,  that  they  can  be  properly  realized  and  enjoyed. 
Who,  then,  is  so  well  calculated  as  the  seaman  to  ap- 
preciate those  attractions,  deprived  as  he  is,  for  the  most 
part,  of  that  which  makes  life  agreeable  ?  confined  to 
the  narrow  limits  of  a  ship's  deck,  and  obliged  to  breathe 
the  air  of  a  forecastle ;  at  the  same  time  his  living  is 
generally  of  the  coarsest  kind,  and  ^^s  associations 
bounded  by  the  few  who  belong  to  ship ;  —  I  say, 

with  all  these  discomforts,  it  is  not  v  >ndered  at 

that  a  sailor  is  the  happiest  man  on  e;  i  he  comes 

on  shore.     It  is  very  certain  that  m.    j  aauors  circum- 
scribe their  enjoyments  to  acts  of  the  most  disgraceful 
character ;  there  are,  however,  strong  and  cogent  reasons 
for  this  conduct.     In  the  first  place,  they  are  generally 
considered  an  isolated  class  of  beings ;  society  will  not 
receive  or  take  them  by  the  hand ;  and,  therefore,  they 
become  dupes  to  designing  men,  whose  interest  it  is,  if 
possible,  to  keep  their  senses  blunted,  in  order  to  filch 
from  them  their  hard  earnings ;  and  by  their  constant 
application  to  the  intoxicating  bowl,  with  other  scenes 
of  debauchery  attendant  upon  this  indulgence,  they  are, 
thereby,  placed  among  the  lowest  and  most  wretched 
ranks  of  society.     I  have  known  a  sailor  to  be  caught  in 
the  trap  of  one  of  those  designing  knaves  when  he  first 
came  on  shore,  with  a  good  chest  of  dothes,  and  a  hun- 
dred dollars   in  his  pocket ;   to  be  l^pt  nearly  sense- 
with  rum  for  three  weeks,  at  the  expiration  of 
Iwhich  his  money,  as  well  as  his  clothes,  were  all  gone, 
and  the  poor,  unfortunate  fellow  was  obliged  to  ship ; 
and,  to  make   up  the   catalogue   of  his  miseries,  the 
jmonth's  advance  was  taken  by  his  landlord,  and  then  he 
dragged  like  a  dog  or  an  ox  on  board,  in  a  state  of 
[insensibility  ;  and  it  often  happens  that  they  are  five  or 
six  days  at  sea  before  they  come  to  a  state  of  perfect 
!onsciousness,  when,  for  the  first  time,  they  learn  the 
lame  of  the  ship  and  captain,  and  whither  she  is  bound. 
Once  more  I  was  surrounded  by  the  family  with 
?hom  I  had  resided  previously  to  my  embarkation  on 
[he  voyage  just  detailed.     With  what  emotions  of 


^, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


liilM    125 
Ui  Uii   |22 

^   14°    12.0 


U 


lllpi'-4IJ^ 

< 

6"     

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIBSTER.N.Y.  14580 

(716)872-4303 


'  ..V 


.^ 


:^ 


..»•. 


866 


Lire    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


f 

c 

I 

m 


it* 


pleasure  does  the  youthful  heart  vibrate,  especially  that 
of  a  sailor,  when  love  and  friendship  are  reciprocal. 
Toils  and  privations  are  forgotten ;  and  when  dwelling  on 
the  rapturous  present,  he  looks  forward  with  unclouded 
vision  for  happiness  to  be  enjoyed  in  the  future.  The 
light  and  buoyant  spirit,  ever  animated  by  the  fair  side 
of  hope,  contemplates  this  round  world  as  one  vast  thea- 
tre of  bliss,  on  which  there  are  countless  resources  of 
felicity  within  its  grasp :  the  car  of  prosperity,  too,  rolls 
along  unimpeded,  nor  once  dreams  of  change.  Hap- 
pily, the  morning  or  spring-time  of  life  dwells  with 
fervent  ardor  upon  the  brighter  and  gayer  scenes  which 
Nature  hath  bountifully  prepared  for  its  enjoyment ;  for 
soon,  alas!  does  the  blighting  mildew  of  winter  roll 
along,  with  its  concomitant  attendants,  —  pain,  afflic- 
tion, and  wee,  —  irresistibly  reminding  us  that  "  all  is 
vanity  here  below." 

Three  weeks  had  now  passed  away  almost  unob- 
served since  I  came  on  shore,  and  each  successive  day 
I  found  a  stronger  interest  gathering  around  me  for  this 
family ;  and  those  feelings  which  1  had  striven  to  drive 
from  my  mind  on  the  last  voyage,  in  reference  to  one 
particular  branch  of  it,  I  not  only  now  found  had  taken 
deeper  root,  but  also  conceived  it  necessary  to  make  an 
open  confession  ^  my  attachment.  To  my  great  de- 
light, I  learned  that  the  attachment  was  mutual:  satis- 
fied with  this  explanation,  and  having  bound  myself  byi 
an  obligation  which  could  be  severed  only  by  death,  1 1 
felt  it  necessary  to  use  every  exertion  to  reach  the  head  j 
of  my  profession. 

1  was  poor,  as  it  may  well  be  supposed,  having  lost  I 
every  thing  during  the  war;  and  as  two  years  only  h^d 
transpired  since  that  period,  of  course  it  may  well  be 
conceived  that  I  had  not  accumulated  any  great  amount 
of  wealth ;  besides,  I  had  resolved  never  to  unite  myse'fl 
to  a  lady  unless  I  could,  at  least,  render  her  pecuniaryl 
situation  quite  as  advantageous  as  it  was  with  her  rela{ 
lives.  With  these  views,  then,  it  did  not  seem  likely] 
that  a  union  could  take  place  in  less  than  two  years. 


count 
ppom 

I 
|of  At 
fleares 


LIFB    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


207 


specially  that 
re  reciprocal. 
[1  dwelling  on 
th  unclouded 
future.    The 
•  the  fair  side 
one  vast  thea- 
\  resources  of 
jrity,  too,  rolls 
•hange.     Hap- 
B   dwells  with 
scenes  which 
jnjoyment:  for 
of  winter   roll 

.pain,  afflic- 

us  that  "all  is 

f  almost  unob- 
successive  day 
iind  me  for  this 
striven  to  drive 
eference  to  one 
found  had  taken 
ary  to  make  an 

0  ray  great  de- 
3  mutual:  satis- 
*ound  myself  by 
only  hy  death, 

reach  the  head 

Led,  having  lost 
I  years  only  h5}d 

1  it  may  well  be 
Lny  great  amount 
t  to  unite  myspAH 

er  her  pecuniary 
as  with  her  reM 
fuot  seem  likelyj 
Ian  two  years. 


About  this  time  application  was  made  to  me,  by  the 
same  owners,  to  go  out  as  mate  of  the  brig  O— , 
Capt.  C,  bound  to  the  West  Indies,  with  an  assurance 
that,  on  our  return,  I  should  have  a  berth  on  board  of  an 
East  Indiaman.  Now,  as  the  voyage  was  short,  and  as 
I  did  not  wish  to  lose  time,  for  the  reasons  before  men'- 
tioned,  I  readily  embraced  the  offer. 

In  a  few  days  the  brig  was  ready  for  sea;  and  as  my 
private  matters  were  arranged  satisfactorily,  I  bade  all 
my  friends  adieu,  and  embarked,  on  the  11th  of  March, 
1817.  The  crew  being  all  on  board,  and  the  wind  fair, 
though  light,  we  cast  off  from  the  wharf,  made  sail,  and 
stood  down  the  river.  We  had  not  proceeded  far,  when 
the  wind  came  ahead,  and  we  were  obliged  to  beat. 
Our  craft  was  a  clipper  of  the  first  stamp,  very  sharp, 
and  heavily  rigged ;  consequently,  her  best  sailing  was 
upon  a  wind.  Capt.  C.  was  what  sailors  sometimes 
call  "an  odd  kind  of  a  Christian."  The  predom- 
inant trait  in  his  character  was  indolence ;  consequent- 
ly, he  was  not  much  of  a  disciplinarian ;  and  yet, 
when  roused,  (and  this  could  only  be  done  by  some 
flagrant  act  of  disobedience,)  he  was  a  perfect  lion. 
Usually,  however,  he  was  good-tempered,  mild,  and 
easy, — constantly  depending  on  his  officers  to  carry  on 
the  details  of  the  vessel.  The  crew  consisted  of  ten 
men  and  a  boy,  all  told.  We  continued  to  beat  down, 
with  a  wind  fresh  from  the  southward,  and  came  to 
an  anchor  at  8  P.  M.,  in  the  outer  roads  of  Annapolis. 
Voyages  to  the  West  Indies,  ordinarily,  do  not  elicit 
much  interest ;  and  I  did  not  intend  to  fatigue  the  reader 
with  a  detailed  account  of  this  one,  but  for  the  reason 
that  there  were  circumstances  connected  with  it  which, 
I  to  many,  may  savor  strongly  of  superstition ;  neverthe- 
i,  they  did  transpire,  and,  to  me,  were  perfectly  unac- 
Icountable.  Take  the  following  as  one  among  the  more 
{prominent :  — 

I  stated  that  the  brig  was  anchored  in  the  outer  roads 

|of  Annapolis,  distant  one  mile    and  a  half  from  the 

learest  shore ;  the  two  boats  (all  that  belonged  to  the 


268 


Lire    ON   THC    OCEAN. 


hi 


tllll 
lil 


|«  .'At  »"     will) 

III,  >fi  n 
|)i  4t.'A 


brig)  were  stowed  on  deck  ;  the  night  was  moonlight^ 
perfectly  clear,  and  cloudless.     I  mention  these  circum- 
^stances,  because  the  truth  of  the  following  narration 
depends,  in  some  degree,  upon  them.     At  8  P.  M.,  the 
anchor  watch  was  set,  and,  after  the  usual  orders  were 
given  by  the  pilot,  we  all  turned  in.    About  midnight,  I 
was  aroused  from  a  sound  sleep   by  hearing  a  voice 
calling  upon  Capt.  C.  to  come  immediately  on  deck.    It 
proceeded  from  the  sailor  who  had  the  watch.    A  second 
call  was  given  more  earnestly  than  the  first,  begging 
Capt.  C,  for  God's  sake,  to  come  on  deck,  as  there  was 
a  woman,  dressed  in  black,  who  had  inquired  for  him. 
Believing  the  sailor  to  be  half  drunk  —  as  was  generally 
the  case,  at  that  period,  when  vessels  left  port  —  I  drove 
him  away;  but  he   persisted   in   his  importunities  for 
Capt.  C.  to  make  his  appearance.     By  this  time  we  all 
roused  up,  and  proceeded  on  deck,  the  sailor  pointing 
out  the  place  where  he  had  seen  and  talked  with  the 
woman.     After  the  most  diligent  search,  however,  no 
sign  or  trace  of  the  supernatural  being  was  found,  and, 
bestowing  a  severe  reprimand  on  the  seaman,  we  once 
more  turned  into  our  berths.     About  2  A.  M.,  we  were 
again  roused  by  another  sailor,  for  the  same  purpose; 
this  was  a  perfectly  sober  man,  a  resident  of  Baltimore, 
with  a  family.     He  gave  us  the  same  account  as  the 
former ;  said  he  could  not  be  mistake     for  he  saw  the 
woman  plainly,  and  heard  her  inquive        Capt.  C.    The 
crew,  being  now  all  huddled  together  on  the  forecas- 
tle, corroborated  his  testimony.     The  most  scrutinizing 
search  was   again  made,   but   without   effect.     There 
could  be  no  deception  practised  on  us  by  the  seamen, 
because  the  boats  were  on  deck  in  their  places,  and  the 
first  sailor,  who  had  called  on  Capt.  C,  had  no  inter- 
course previously  with  the  remainder  of  the  crew.   I 
was  determined  to  know  if  there  were  any  grounds  for, 
the  truth  of  this  alarming  sight  to  the  seamen ;  so  I 
walked  the  deck  during  the  remainder  of  the  night,  but| 
saw  nothing.     The  next  morning  the  wind  was  fair, 
and  we  commenced  to  get  under  way ;  but  the  sailoi 


( 
t 

a 

tl 

k 

ri( 

m 

th 

us 

tm 

sul 

aQ( 

cloi 

We 

I3t\ 

1 

fresl 

very 

to  fc 

top-, 

ond 

sail 


black 

quenl 

Betw 

the  si 

whol 

watch 

of  the 

intensi 

h  th 

prising 

iineart 

tes 

-aptaii 

ould 

icfeas( 

exp 


LIVE   ON    THE    OCEAN. 


269 


(  moonliglit) 
lese  circum- 
ng  narration 
8  P.  M.,  the 
L  orders  were 
t  midnight,  1 
iring  a  voice 
on  deck.    It 
ch.    A  second 
first,  begging 
J  as  there  was 
Liired  for  him. 
was  generally 
port— 1  drove 
iportiinities  for 
lis  time  we  all 
sailor  pointing 
alked  with  the 
h,  however,  no 
«ras  found,  and, 
>aman,  we  once 
A.  M.,  we  were 

same  purpose; 
It  of  Baltimore, 

account  as  the 


came  aft,  in  a  body,  and  begged  Oapt.  C.  to  give  them 
their  discharge ;  that  they  would  give  back  their  month's 
advance,  and  their  clothes  and  bedding  to  boot  — stating 
that  they  could  not  go  out  in  the  vessel,  as  they  well 
knew  that  she  would  never  get  back  again.  This  was 
ridiculed  by  Capt.  C,  and  they  became  very  importu- 
nate in  their  demand.  The  naturally  easy  temper  of 
the  skipper  became  much  roused ;  and,  as  Jack  saw  (to 
use  an  old  saying,  "If  you  tread  on  a  worm  he  will 
turn**)  that  he  was  not  to  be  played  with,  they  walked 
sullenly  forward,  manned  the  windlass,  hove  up  the 
anchor,  and,  in  a  few  minutes,  the  brig  was  under  a 
cloud  of  canvass,  standing  down  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 
We  had  a  fine  run  down,  discharged  the  pilot  on  the 
13th  of  March,  and  stood  to  sea. 

The  second  day  after  leaving  the  land,  it  blowing 
fresh,  and  being  in  the  Gulf  Stream,  the  brig  became 
very  laborsome,  straining  so  much  that  we  were  obliged 
to  keep  one  pump  constantly  going:  before  night  the 
top-gallantmasts,  yards,  rigging,  &c.,  were  all  sent  down 
on  deck  and  secured.  It  blew  a  strong  gale,  and  every 
sail  was  furled  except  the  main  and  fore-topmast-stay- 
sails. At  6  P.  M.,  the  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and  heavy, 
black  clouds  rolled  up  from  the  north-west,  with  fre- 

^ quent  claps  of  thunder  and  sharp  flashes  of  lightning. 

for  he  saw  the  ■  Between  the  hours  of  6  and  8,  in  the  tast  dog-watch, 

Capt.  0.    The! the  supernatural  being  again  appeared  to  the  two  men 

on  the  forecas-Bwho  first  saw  her  while  at  anchor,  they  now  having  the 

ost  scrutinizing  ■  watch  on  deck,  and  the  look-out  forward.    I  had  charge 

eflCect.    There Bof  the  watch  myself  at  this  time,  but  as  the  night  was 

bv  the  seamen, ■intensely  dark,  nothing  could  be  seen,  except  at  intervals, 

places,  and  the  ■by  the  flashes  of  lightning ;  so  that    it  was  not  sur- 

,    had  no  inter-Bprising,  as  "I  was  standing  aft,  that  I  did  not  see  this 

of  the  crew.   iBuaearthly  figure.    It   was,  however,  a  source  of  the 

any  grounds  foiBgieatest  alarm,  and  I  could  perceive,  notwithstanding 

e  seamen;  so  iBCaptain  C.  affected  great  unconcern, . he  nevertheless 

f  the  night,  hutBcould  not  sleep,  any  more  than  the  crew.     The  gale 

wind  was  faiiBncreased,  and  the  sea  rose  to  a  tremendous  height: 

but  the  sailoiAre  expected  every  moment,  from  the  appearance  of  the 

25 


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Ltf  E   ON  THE    OCkAtl. 


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weather,  a  shift  of  the  wind.     At  midnight,  precisely, 
the  solemn  visitor  was  again  seen  on  the  forecastle,  but, 
as  before,  neither  Captain  C.  nor  myself  were  permitted 
to  behold  it.    In  about  twenty  minutes  after  this  appear- 
ance, the  wind  shifted  suddenly  to  the  north-west,  and 
it  blew  a  perfect  tornado.     The  brig  was  thrown  nearly 
on  her  beam-ends.    Being  pressed  by  the  two  stay-sails, 
the  axes  were  got  in  readiness  to  cut  away  the  mast; 
but  before  this  was  executed,  the  staysail  sheets  gave 
way,  and  the  violence  of  the  wind  blew  the  sails  away 
from  the  bolt-ropes.    The  brig,  being  now  relieved  from 
the  pressure  of  canvass,  righted  so  far  as  to  feel  the  action 
of  the  helm,  which  she  quickly  answered,  and,  after  a 
few  rolling  seas  had  washed  over  the  quarter,  she  round- 
ed  off  before  the  wind,  and  in  a  few  minutes  she  was 
scudding  at  the  rate  of  eleven  knots.     In  this  disaster 
we  lost  all  of  our  spars,  boats,  and  caboose-house ;  fortu* 
nately,  the  caboose,  being  well  secured  to  the  deck,  was 
saved,  and  no  lives  were  lost.     The  violence  of  the  gale 
was  such,  that,  in  about  two  hours,  the  heavy  south-east 
swell  went  down,  and  the  brig  scudded  with  great  se- 
curity.    The  heavy,  dense,  black  masses  of  clouds  were 
driven  off  by  the  violence  of  the  gale,  and  settled  away 
to  the  south-east,  and,  at  4  A.  M.,  the  sky  was  perfectly 
clear';   the  moon  shone  brightly,  and  the  sea  became 
following  and  regular,  presenting  a  very  different  scene 
from  that  which  was  exhibited  at  midnight. 

Once  more  the  crew  became  comparatively  cheerful, 
and  when  the  morning  light  broke  forth,  the  gale  had 
moderated.  Double-reef  topsails  were  set,  and  we  steered 
away  to  the  southward. 

Nothing  material  transpired  during  the  remainder  of 
the  passage.  The  weather  was  unusually  fine,  and  yet, 
by  no  threat,  or  importunity,  could  any  sailor  be  induced 
to  go  aloft  alone  in  the  night ;  in  fact,  it  was  the  univer- 
sal opinion  of  the  crew  that  the  brig  was  haunted,  and, 
of  course,  it  was  a  theme  of  controversy  during  the| 
passage.  I  recollect  one  night,  while  crossing  the  ti 
winds,  having  the  middle  watch  on  deck,  that  I  orei 


coil 

tin 

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mj 

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loj 

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of 

likel 

out 

tliatl 


the 
spot 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEAN. 


271 


,t,  ptecisely, 
ecastle,  but, 
re  permitted 
•  this  appear- 
^h-west,  and 
irown  nearly 
wo  stay-sails, 
ay  the  mast; 
[  sheets  gave 
he  sails  away 

relieved  from 
feel  the  action 
d,  and,  after  a 
rter,  she  round- 
inutes  she  was 
[n  this  disaster 
se-house ;  fortu- 
ne the  deck,  was 
ence  of  the  gale 

leavy  south-east 

a  with  great  se- 
L  of  clouds  were 
,nd  settled  away 
ty  was  perfectly  | 
the  sea  became 
different  scene 

r&y  cheerful,! 
th,  the  gale  had 
',t  and  we  steered 


heard  the  following  dialogue  by  two  seamen  on  the 
main  deck.     "  Bill,"  said  an  old  salt  to  another,  that 
happened  to  be  the  same  who  first  saw  cur  lady  visitor, 
"did  you  look  at  the  old  man's  phyzog  that  morning 
when  we  went  aft  to  get  our  discharge  ?  "     "  Yes,"  said 
Bill,  "  and  it  looked,  for  all  tlie  world,  as  if  he  had  been 
frightened  out  of  his  seventeen  senses.     I'd  like,"  con- 
tinued he,  "  to  be  out  of  this  craft ;  and  I'll  tell  you  what, 
by  the  way,  she's  a  little  too  small  to  carry  me  back,  if 
ever  these  pins  get  foothold  of  shore."      "I'll  bet  a 
month's  wages,"  returned  the  other,  "  that  this  craft,  or 
our  long  slink  of  a  skipper,  don't  reach  Yankee-land 
again."     "Avast  there!"  said  Bill;  "belay  that  slack 
rope  ;  look  over  the  side  here,  and  you  won't   see  a 
bubble ;  and  yet  she's  going  seven  knots  by  the  log, 
and  there's  not  wind  enough  to  fill  an  old  woman's 
night-cap.     I   say,   messmate,  you'll  not  have  enough 
coming  to  you  for  a  single  cruise,  for  you  know  we've 
had  one  month's  advance,  and  at  this  rate  of  going  we 
shall  get  back  —  "  Here  he  stopped  short,  and  then,  as  if 
the  supernatural  appearance  was  before  him,  resumed 
in  a  serious  tone,  "  that  is,  messmate,  if  ever  she  does 
get  back."     The  conversation  was  then  carried  on  in  a 
lower  and  more  serious  tone.     "  That  was  a  sad  night," 
continued  Bill,  "  when  this  craft  like  to  have  turned  the 
turtle  with  us."     "I  jist  thought  as  much  in  the  first 
dog-watch,"  said  the  other ;  "  so,  you  know,  as  it  was 
my  first  bunk  below,  and  thinks  I  to  myself,  if  we've 
got  to  go  CO  kingdom  come,  it's  no  time   for   a   fel- 
low to  be  catched  napping."      "I  was  much  of  the 
same  way  of  thinking,"  said  Bill,  "  and  so  we  kept  the 
deck  together,  or  we  might  have  had  a  bit  of  a  hoist  out 
of  our  bunks.     But,  somehow  or  other,  I  don't  much 
like  that  old  skipper  of  ours,  and  I'm  thinking,  if  he  was 
out  of  this  craft,  we  shouldn't  have  any  more  visits  from 
that  lady  in  black."    "  She  is  an  unlucky  craft  anyhow,'* 
said  the  other ;  "  there  was  poor  Ben  Billings  fell  from 
the  topmast-head   longside   of  the    wharf,   and  neve^ 
spoke  a  word  afterwards  —  and  then  I  heard  old  SwipeSj 


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LIFE    ON   THE   OCEAN. 


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our  cook,  say,  the  other  day,  that  she  lost  both  of  her 
topmasts  the  first  voyage." 

These  and  similar  conversations  were  continued  for  a 
time,  and  in  conclusion  they  concerted  a  plan  to  effect 
their  escape  when  we  should  arrive  in  the  West  Indies. 

We  had  a  short  run  out,  and  arrived  safely  at  the 
Island  of  Martinique.  Here  we  purchased  a  large  boat, 
and  some  spars,  of  a  French  ship ;  but  as  we  did  not 
find  a  sale  for  the  cargo,  we  proceeded  without  delay  to 
the  Island  of  Guadaloupe,  where  we  arrived  in  about 
thirty-six  hours,  and  anchored  in  the  bay  of  Point 
Petre.  The  cargo  was  immediately  sold  and  dis- 
charged, and  we  commenced  taking  in  a  return  cargo 
of  sugars.  It  is  well  known  that  Point  Petre  is  one  of 
the  most  unhealthy  ports  in  the  West  Indies :  it  is 
almost  entirely  land-locked,  and  is  situated  on  the  lee- 
ward part  of  the  island ;  consequently  it  has  none  of  the 
exhilarating  influence  of  the  wholesome  sea  breezes 
which  blow  perpetually  in  these  latitudes.  The  yellow 
fever,  cholera  morbus,  and  dysentery,  prevailed  to  an 
alarming  degree,  and  therefore  our  men  were  deterred 
from  putting  their  previous  plans  of  desertion  into  execu- 
tion. 

The  brig  was  now  about  half  loaded,  and  as  yet  the 
epidemic  had  not  visited  us ;  but  the  mortahty  was  great 
among  the  shipping  in  the  harbor,  and  it  was  not 
unusual  to  see  two  or  more  corpses  carried  on  shore 
every  morning.  At  length,  however,  the  fatal  disease 
made  its  appearance  among  our  crew,  in  connection 
with  the  dreaded  reappearance  of  our  supernatural 
visitor.  It  was  reported  by  two  of  the  crew  that,  on 
the  night  previously  to  the  fatal  malady  having  gotten 
among  us,  she  was  again  seen  on  the  forecastle.  There 
wjre  six,  myself  being  one  of  the  number,  that  were  | 
seized  with  yellow  fever  and  cholera  morbus.  The 
fever  raged  with  great  violence,  and  three  of  our  men 
were  confined  ten  or  twelve  days,  to  one  of  whom  it 
proved  fatal  j  the  rest,  with  myself,  were  soon  relieved. 


t  both  of  her 


273 


ift 


ion  into  execu- 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

CONCLUSION  OP  T»«.    «- 

•>»",  BAT4»,A,   4c.  "    "»• 

«<='ed.  you  might  ZTZ  '^'"'  "■«  "ision  was T 
»»e  being  convfyld  ,o  ?he^?. '^  "^^  '■«™in"oTl± 
and  on  board  of  any  vlsseT,"''"'""'''  <"''he  d^ 
would  be  saluted  wHh  Sr  ^  ""^  ''""»<»,  the^ 
0'  some  one  raving  under  htJ''"  ?""^^  "^  «he  dyi^ 
4""/  13.  —Thl .;°    ■       ^oorehmg  fever  ^' 

andj^rfectly  ca7mrarhr'?rer 'f  '"-■"•  clear 
for  sea,  it   became  nece4rv  <     J'^  ''*'"8  """^  ^aX 
Iwfbor,  and,  with  th.  .^'^  '°   '<"'  her   out  of.^ 
longing  .0  Imerifan  TS""*  "'  '^ree  o.Serla'S 
'»g  the  „fli„    ,j  tenV  M    'l"  "'"="^''«<^  i"  ''each, 
never  felt  as  much  gratific^„„  ^- "^  safely  say  that  I 
y  port,  as  I  did  on  thfs  !^"  '"  »?  "fe.  on  leaving 
peared  to  be  general  amZ  J^fhTT '    l""'  focl'-g  a^ 
Md  dread   of  our  suSuril  ^'-     ^"^"o^'  ">«(•«« 
,  P*=e  to  a   nniver.alX™^'"?'  ""''S''  ^«™«d  to  giy" 
olear  of  Point  Petre.n?        of  satisfaction   in   »»»!„„ 
f»l  influence  ofTe'  Z  "C^TV,"''''"^  «^«  'S 
'rally  weak  and  much  deS,  7^^  f ''*''  *«'«  gen- 
Pfy  to  proceed  with  cam^lT  f**;,^"?  "  ''^  "eces- 

:r  ''"""«*  »''d  'U  f  om  th?  ■''  i^"^  •««»  e«n«d 

me  more  and  more  vLbTe  p™      i"*"*^'  '^Woh  be- 

honsiant  succession  of  fai    winT'^  ^'''^-      ^«  ^ad  a 

K^to^bebaiistltm^--^^^^^^^ 


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■. « 


274 


LIFE    ON   TH£    OCEAN. 


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5  5^: 


On  the  morning  of  the  26th,  we  were  in  ten  fathoms 
water,  and  judged  ourselves  in  the  latitude  of  Cape 
Henry.  The  weather  being  thick,  and  exceedingly 
threatening,  of  course  we  could  not  see  the  land.  At  9 
A.  M.,  the  wind  shifted  suddenly  to  the  north-west,  and 
blew  a  gale,  insomuch  that  we  were  obliged  to  heave 
to  on  the  larboard  tack.  At  midnight,  we  found  our- 
selves in  the  Gulf  Stream ;  and  as  the  gale  did  not 
moderate  until  5  P.  M.  the  next  day,  the  current  had 
set  us  so  far  to  the  eastward,  that  we  did  not  get  into 
the  Chesapeake  Bay  until  the  2d  of  May.  In  this  gale, 
the  fore-topsail,  jib,  and  trysail,  were  blown  from  the 
bolt-ropes;  the  brig  had  become  strained  very  much 
with  her  heavy  cargo  ;  and  it  was  a  matter  of  no  small 
consolation  to  us  all  when  we  made  her  fast  to  the 
wharf  on  the  4th  of  May. 

Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  unpleasant,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  the  most  extraordinary  voyage  that  I  ever 
made.  But  in  reference  to  the  voyage,  the  most  inex- 
plicable coincidence  yet  remains  to  be  related.  When 
We  sailed  from  Baltimore,  the  wife  of  Captain  C.  resided 
in  Nantucket ;  on  our  return,  he  found  a  letter  awaiting 
him,  conveying  the  sorrowful  information  that  his  wife 
was  dead.  Comparing  the  period  of  her  demise  with 
that  of  the  first  appearance  of  the  lady  in  black,  while 
lying  in  Annapolis  Roads,  the  time  exactly  corre- 
sponded. With  these  relative  facts,  then,  1  shall  leave 
the  reader  to  form  his  own  opinion  as  to  the  possibility, 
or  probability,  of  supernatural  appearances. 

The  East  Indiaman,  on  board  of  which  I  was  prom- 
ised a  first  officer's  berth,  I  found,  on  my  arrival,  was  j 
nearly  ready  for  sea;  consequently,  I  repaired  on  board, 
and  assumed  the  duties  of  my  station.      She  was.  to  I 
proceed  to  London   with  a  cargo  of  flour,  and  from 
thence  to  Batavia,  and  back  to  Amsterdam  as  the  port 
of  discharge.      Having  very  little   time   to  spend  onl 
shore,  I  need  not  say  that  every  spare  moment  wasi 
given  to  the  object  which  had  the  largest  share  in  myj 
affections.    It  was  at  this  period  that  our  mutual  vowsl 


far  ai 


Lire    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


276 


ten  fathoms 
\e  of  Cape 
exceedingly 
land.      At  9 
Ih-west,  and 
jed  to  heave 
I  found  cur- 
gale  did  not 
,  current  had 
not  get  into 
In  this  gale, 
)wn  from  the 
;d  very  much 
■er  of  no  small 
er  fast  to  the 

int,  and,  at  the 
ige  that  1  ever 
the  most  inex- 
related.  When 
ptain  C.  resided 
'  letter  awaiting 
pn  that  his  wife 
[er  demise  with 

in  hlack,  while 
exactly   corre- 

,n,  I  shall  leave 
the  possibility. 


were  plighted ;  but  as,  in  my  judgment,  it  was  neither 
expedient  nor  proper,  on  account  of  my  pecuniary  cir- 
cumstances, to  consummate  the  nuptials,  our  union  was 
deferred  until  my  return. 

May  14, 1817.  —  The  ship  being  ready  for  sea,  and  the 
crew  all  on  board,  we  cast  off  from  the  wharf,  made  all 
sail  with  a  fair  wind,  and  stood  down  the  river.     Every 
thing  with  which  I  was  now  surrounded,  on  board  of 
this  ship,  indicated,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  as  pleasant  a 
voyage,  and  as  much  happiness,  as  ordinarily  falls  to  the 
lot  of  a  seafaring  life.     She  was  about  four  hundred 
tons'  burden,  considered  a  fast  sailer,  strong,  tight,  and 
completely  fitted  out  for  an  East  India  voyage.    Captain 
R.  was  somewhat  advanced  in  years,  an  educated  man, 
and* a  scientific  navigator;  in  a  word,  in  him  were  com- 
bined all  the  qualities  which  constitute   a  gentleman. 
The  crew  consisted  of  three  mates,  carpenter  and  sail- 
maker,  eight  able  seamen,  and  four  boys,  with  a  cook 
and  steward — amounting  to  twenty  in  number.     When 
proceeding  down  the  bay,  the   following  conversation 
took  place  between  Captain  R.  and  myself  in  the  cabin. 
"Mr.  L.,"said  he,  "I  am  now  sixty  years  of  age,  and 
have  been  buffeting  salt  water  upwards  of  forty  years  ; 
and,  as  you  may  suppose,  I  am  not  able  to  undergo 
much  exposure  or  hardship.     I  shall  therefore  implicitly 
confide  to  your  management  and  care  the  duties  and 
details  of  this  ship;  with  this  sole  exception,  that  I 
expect  to  be  consulted  in  any  and  every  emergency ; 
and  I  also  shall  direct  her  courses  during  the  voyage. 
I  shall  uphold  you  in  enforcing  good  discipline  ;  but  as 
long  experience,   and   consequently  much  intercourse 
with  seamen,  have  taught   me   that  kind   words  and 
good  usage  generally  make  a  valuable  crew,  I  expect, 
therefore,  you  will  observe  this  kind  of  treatment  to- 
wards them.     My  usual  custom  is,  to  give  watch  and 
watch,  and  allow  them  Saturday   to  wash  and  mend 
their  clothes,  to  cleanse  the  forecastle,  &/C. ;  so  that,  as 
far  as  practicable,  the  Sabbath  may  be  observed,  as  it 
ever  ought  to  be,  a  day  of  rest."    In  thirty-six  hours 


> « 


276 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


■«)»' 


we  reached  the  Capes  oi  ^'^irginia,  discharged  the  pilot, 
and  went  to  sea  with  a  fine  Ww:>terly  wind. 

At  10  A.  M.,  May  28th,  at  meridian,  Cape  Henry  bore 
west-north-west, .  distant  four  leagues ;  at  night,  the 
watches  were  chosen  and  set,  and  the  regulations  of  the 
ship  were  delivered  to  the  crew  —  the  substance  of 
which  was  the  detailed  conversation  held  with  Captain 
R.  in  the  cabin.  Nothing  unusual  transpired,  during 
the  first  part  of  this  passage,  to  interrupt  the  usual 
monotony  of  a  sea  life.  I  had  the  satisfaction,  however, 
to  find  that  we  had  a  fine  crew  of  able  seamen,  and 
that  the  officers  were  young  men  of  education,  with 
whom  I  was  on  terms  of  the  strictest  intinoacy.  Up  to 
June  11th,  we  had  a  constant  succession  of  strong 
westerly  winds ;  at  this  period,  however,  the  weather 
became  exceedingly  boisterous,  which  obliged  us  to 
scud  under  close-reefed  topsails.  An  occurrence  took 
place  this  day,  June  12th,  which  shows  a  remarkable 
coincidence ;  viz. :  At  meridian,  heavy,  black  clouds 
arose  in  the  northern  board,  the  wind  being  at  this 
time  about  west-south-west,  blowing  a  heavy  gale,  and 
the  ship  was  under  close-reefed  fore  and  main-topsails  and 
reefed  foresail,  when  it  suddenly  shifted  to  north,  and 
blew  so  violently  that,  before  we  could  get  our  sails 
furled,  the  topsails  were  torn  from  the  bolt-ropes.  For- 
tunately, however,  it  did  not  last  long,  or  the  ship  must 
have  run  under.  I  mention  this  as  a  coincidence,  be- 
cause, in  the  same  latitude  and  longitude,  on  a  former 
voyage,  a  tornado  of  the  same  character  was  experienced, 
and  also,  as  in  the  present  instance,  the  fore  and  main- 
topsails  were  blown  away. 

In  twenty-five  days  from  the  Capes,  we  arrived  in 
the  British  Channel ;  and  no  power  of  description  can 
portray  an  adequate  idea  of  the  serenity  of  the  weaiher. 
As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  vessels  of  all  de^cripiions 
were  seen,  some  upon  a  wind,  others  before  the  wind, 
many  stretching  up  and  many  standing  down  the  Chan- 
nel ;  but  more  especially,  when  we  drew  up  toward  the 
**  Fore  Lands,"  it  was  a  matter  of  astonishment  to  behold 


*** 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


277 


jd  the  pilot, 

Henry  bore 

night,  the 

Dttions  of  the 

abstance  of 

with  Captain 

pired,  during 

pt  the  usual 

on,  however, 

seamen,  and 

iication,  with 

aacy.     Up  to 

on  of  strong 

the  weather 

)bliged   us  to 

curreuce  took 

a  remarkable 

black  clouds 

being  at  this 

eavy  gale,  and 

lin-topsails  and 

^  to  north,  and 

get  our  sails 

lU-ropes.     For- 

the  ship  must 

incidence,  be- 

le,  on  a  former 

[as  experienced, 

yore  and  main- 

we  arrived  in 
iescription  can 
bi  the  weather. 
[all  descripiioM 
Ifore  the  wnid, 
[own  the  Chan- 

up  toward  the 
iment  to  behold 


the  number  and  variety  of  vessels  bound  to  London, 
the  greatest  emporium  of  commerce,  perhaps,  in  the 
world. 

July  9.  — We  took  a  Dover  pilot,  and  had  a  fine  run 
up  to  Gravesend ;  here,  as  usual,  we  exchanged  him 
for  a  river  pilot.  These  men,  as  I  have  before  observed, 
are  probably  the  best  pilots  in  the  world — perfect  mas- 
ters of  their  business ;  they  assume  the  entire  responsi- 
bility, and  I  have  never  seen  a  ship  handled  in  a  more 
seaman-like  manner  than  by  those  men. 

July  11.  —  We  entered  the  London  Dock,  and  after 
the  customary  forms  of  entering,  d&c,  commenced  to  dis- 
charge the  cargo.     Nothing  worthy  of  note  or  comment 
transpired,  until  the  cargo  was  entirely  discharged,  the 
ship  ballasted,  with  every  other  necessary  preparation 
for  an  India  passage.     It  was  about  this  time  that  we 
received   a  visit  from   the   Duke   of  Wellington,  the 
Marquis  of  Wellesley  and  lady,  and  R.  Patterson,  Esq. 
and  lady ;  Mr.  Patterson  being  a  son  of  the  owner  of  the 
ship.     The  ladies  were  both  Americans,  and  daughters 
of  R.  Caton,  Esq.,  of  Baltimore.     I  mention  this  circum- 
stance to  show  that  there  was  nothing  strange  or  ua- 
aecountable  in  the  visit  to  our  ship  by  these  persons  of 
distinction;   nor  do  I   think  it  worth  while  to  give  a 
description  of  them,  as  it  would  be  foreign  to  the  general 
object  of  this  work.     Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  utmost 
good-humor   and    sociability   prevailed  among    them; 
and  when  about  to  leave,  in  addition  to  distributing 
not  a  few  bank  notes  among  the  crew,  our  venerable 
captain  had  a  pressing  invitation  to  dine  with  the  noble 
duke. 

July  24^.  —  The  specie  was  takeu  on  board,  and  we 
hauled  out  of  dock,  made  sail,  and  stood  down  the  river 
with  a  fair  wind.  26th.  —  Discharged  the  pilot  oflf  Do- 
ver, and  proceeded  down  the  Channel.  28th.  —  The  Liz- 
ard lights  bore  north-north-east,  five  leagues  distant,  from 
whence  we  took  a  departure,  being  the  last  land  seen. 
29th.  —  Once  more  we  were  upon  the  broad  ocean, 
"  where  sky  and  water  meet,"  under  a  press  of  sail,  with  a 


M 

v« 

1:1 

r{ 

( 

a 

-.;:■  I 


I 


278 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


tK 

■  '"  £ 

■  '-^  ■•' 

m  Hi* 


id 


fair  wind,  and,  what  is  always  to  be  desired,  a  fine,  strong 
ship,  well  fitted  out,  with  a  good  crew,  all  in  high  spirits. 
As  the  ship  is  now  fairly  at  sea,  I  shall  pause  to  relate 
a  circumstance,  which  may  be  deemed  trivial,  but  its  re- 
sults to  me  have  been  of  the  most  momentous  character. 
After  the  regulations  and  discipline  of  the  ship  were  es- 
tablished, on  our  departure  from  the  United  States,  for  the 
first  time  during  the  whole  period  of  my  sea  life  I  saw 
a  Bible,  which  had  been  put  on  board  by  some  agent  of 
the  Bible  Society,  for  the  use  of  the  c:   w,  with  this  in- 
scription, via.,  "  The  Word  of  God,  presented  by  the 
Bible  Society,  for  the  use  of  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
ship  William."     My  feelings  were  penetrated  with  a  deep 
sense  of  gratitude  for  this  little  offering.    "Ah !  "  thought 
I,  "  is  it  possible  that  men,  who  have  no  interest  at  stake, 
should  care  for  the  well-being,  and  I  may  say  the  sal- 
vation, of  poor,  nejglected  seamen  ? "  and,  as  if  roused  from 
a  profound  reverie,  all  those  religious  precepts  and  teach- 
ings, and  especially  those  wholesome  admonitions  which 
were  so  carefully  bestowed  on  me,  by  my  relatives,  in  the 
days  of  my  youth,  were  irresistibly  brought  up  to  my 
recollection  in  their  most  glowing  form  ;  and  then  memo- 
ry portrayed,  with  the  strongest  coloring,  the  exposures, 
dangers,  and  perils,  of  the  past,  peculiar  to  my  vocation. 
How  often  had  my  life  been  suspended  upon  a  nine 
or  twelve-thread  rattling !   how  often,  too,  when  on  the 
high  and  giddy  mast,  the   howling   wind  proclaimed 
the  funeral   dirge   of  a  companion,  whose   grasp  was 
severed  by  its  fury,  and  he  swept  into  eternity!  and 
then,  again,  while  at  the  cannon's  mouth,  the  enemy's 
deadly  shot  had  stricken  down  the   youthful  seamen, 
who  bid  fair  for  long  and  happy  life;  and  then,  too, 
the  heavy,  roaring  surf,  with  its  dashing  foam,  swept 
with   unrelenting  fury  one   from  my  side   who  was 
the  partner  of  my  toil ;  — and  then,  again,  the  constant 
exposure  upon   the  fickle  element ;   a  seaman's  life  is 
always  bounded,  between  time  and  eternity,  by  a  two 
and  a  half,  or  three-inch  plank,  —  to  say  nothing  of  the 
hurriG£i,ne  and   tornado,  the  merciless  pirate,  and  the 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


279 


fine,  strong 
liigh  spirits, 
ise  to  relate 
1,  but  its  re- 
CIS  character, 
hip  were  es- 
,tates,  for  the 
3a  life  1  saw 
.me  agent  of 
with  this  in- 
snted  by  the 
i  crew  of  the 
id  with  a  deep 
^hl"  thought 
erest  at  stake, 
f  say  the  sal- 
if  roused  from 
pts  and  teach- 
)nitions  which 
platives,  in  the 
Tht  up  to  my 
Jdthenmemo- 
the  exposures, 
)  my  vocation. 
upon  a  nine 
,,  when  on  the 
id  proclaimed 
)se   grasp  was 
eternity!  and 
I,  the  enemy's 
ithful  seamen, 
and  then,  too, 
foam,  swept 
Tide   who  was 
I  the  constant 
jaman's  life  is 
ity,  byatwo 
[nothing  of  the 
,irate,  and  tae 


often  exposure  to  pestilential  climes.  These  and  many 
other  perils  passed  in  review  before  me.  yet  from  them 
all,  thus  far,  I  had  been  delivered.  Overpowered  by 
these  reflections,  I  resolved  to  lead  a  different  life,  and 
although  the  "  Word  of  God  "  was  always  a  part  of  my 
sea-stock,  yet  I  had  long  shamefully  neglected  its  pe- 
rusal. 

With  many  other  officers,  I  had  long  been  of  the 
opinion,  that  severe  treatment  and  hard  labor  were  the 
best  means  to  establish  good  discipline  on  board  of  a 
ship ;  but  my  views  in  this  respect,  however,  now  began 
to  waver.  In  considering  the  character  of  seamen,  I  was 
led  to  believe  that  they  were  generally  men  of  as  much 
character  as  any  other  number  of  men  which  could  be 
selected  on  shore  with  the  same  education ;  and  that 
their  peculiarities  and  habits  arose  principally  from  pri- 
vations and  their  seclusion  from  social  intercourse  with 
society  and  domestic  life.  There  is  also  another  feature 
in  reference  to  the  condition  of  seamen  —  that  is,  they 
are  unlike  any  other  class  of  laboring  men ;  for  while 
a  working-man  on  shore  receives  his  pay  daily  or 
weekly,  a  seaman  receives  the  whole  amount  of  his 
wages  in  one  sum,  when  the  voyage  is  finished.  Nat- 
urally generous  and  improvident,  with  a  large  sum  of 
money  in  his  possession,  he  soon  becomes  the  dupe  of 
unprincipled  men,  (of  whom  there  are  numbers  ready  to 
take  advantage  of  his  unsuspicious  nature,)  and  he  is 
speedily  stripped  of  his  hard  earnings,  which  necessarily 
cuts  short  his  time  on  shore,  and  obliges  bim  to  renew 
his  vocation  at  sea. 

As  no  period  of  my  sojourn  upon  the  ocean  was  more 
favorable  for  impressing  upon  the  minds  of  seamen  the 
necessity  to  respect  their  own  moral  characters,  espe- 
cially as  I  had  the  approbation  of  Captain  R.,  who,  as  I 
before  stated,  was  a  man  of  high  moral  worth,  I  re- 
solved to  put  into  operation  what  I  had  contemplated  in 
their  behalf.  To  do  this,  great  caution  and  firmness 
were  necesswry,  to  maintain  the  discipline  of  the  ship. 
Id  the  first  place,  then,  I  pointed  out  to  them  the 


i      '4 


It^O 


LIFE    ON   THG    OCEAN. 


f 
1 

■■•■! 

t 

t»» 

n 

^■'' 

^ 

■H-si 

•» 

I**. 

■ 

Ift:*, 

Ami 


In  .'ji  w 

to 

5  sr* 


enormity  of -using   profane  language.     This  was  the 
first  prohibition :  and,  by  the  officers'  rigidly  observing 
the  interdiction,  it  was  not  long  before  this  miserable 
practice  was  almost  entirely  banished   from  the   ship. 
My  next  object  was  to  dissuade  them  from  the  per* 
nicious  indulgence  of  drinking  grog.     ''  It  is  owing  to 
this,"  said  I,  "  that  you  are  looked  upon  as  the  most  de- 
graded class  of  beings  in  society,  and  when  on  shore 
you  are  excluded  from  all  the  pleasures  of  society  and 
the  endear^ients  of  domestic  life ;  it  is  drinking  grog 
that  places  you  on  a  level  with  the  lowest  and  basest 
of  our  species ;  it  is  drinking  grog  which  filches  your 
hard  earnings  from  your  pockets ;  and  while  your  senses 
are  benumbed  with  this  worst  of  poisons,  you  become 
the  prey  of  sharpers,  and  those  who  smile  at  you,  but 
at  the  same  time  are,  without  remorse,  inflicting  upon 
you  the  greatest  injury ;  thus  you  are  dispossessed  of 
your  means,  and  necessarily   obliged,   with  but  little 
intermission,  to  be  constantly  upon  the  ocean ;  so  that, 
by   persisting  in  the  evil  practices  of   drinking  and 
carousing,    in  connection   with    your    exposures   and 
hardships   at   sea,  you   soon   become  diseased.    Look 
around  you,  and  where  will  you  find  a  sailor  advanced 
in  years  ?     To  be  sure,  Captain  R.  is  dn  aged  man  ; 
but  then  it  has  been  fair  weather  with  him  for  many 
years  ;  there  are  nearly  twenty  of  us  belonging  to  this 
ship,  and  Jack  Saunders  is  the  oldest  man,  (with  the 
exception  of  Captain  R.,)  and  he  has  scarcely  arrived 
to  the  age  of  forty.      Now,  I  ask,  wliere  are  all  the  old 
sailors  ?  Why,  I  will  answer  that  qitestion  t  many  of  them 
go  to  Davy  Jones's  locker ;  and  many  others,  for  the 
reasons  before  mentioned,  soon  contract  disease,  and  a 
premature  old  age  and  broken-down  coi>stitution  are  the 
consequences,  and  then  they  are  laid  up  in  ordinary,  | 
and  become  useless  hulks.     It  is  not  long,  however,  be- 
fore the  disease  which  has  been  induced  by  grog  a 
severe  exposure  proves  fatal,  and  then  poor  Jack,  per| 
haps  friendless  and  unknown,  is  stowed  away  in  Potters' 
Field." 

I  then  endeavored  to  show  thsm  the  worth  a 


Jack 

althoi 

plain 

quent 

desire 

andp 

by  his 

cessar 

m< 

liirstin 

l^trequi 

;iU  1 


Life   OK   %'&£   OCCAK. 


1^1 


is  was  the 
If  observing 
8  miserable 
n  the  ship. 
)m  the  per* 
is  owing  to 
the  most  de- 
en  on  shore 
f  society  and 
Irinking  grog 
est  and  basest 
L  filches  your 
ie  your  senses 
(,  you  become 
le  at  you,  but 
nflicting  upon 
dispossessed  of 
dvith  but  httle 
ocean;  so  that, 
drinking  and 
exposures   and 
Useased.    Look 
jailor  advanced 
an  aged  man; 
him  for  many 
plonging  to  this 
[man,  (with  the 
Scarcely  arrived 
are  all  the  old 
i  many  of  them 
others,  for  the 
[t  disease,  and  a 
jtitution  are  the 
IP  in  ordinary, 
,g,  however,  be- 

•d  by  grog  m 
poor  Jack,  pe^ 

|awayi»P°*^'" 
the  worth  ani 


value  of  seamen,  as  being  the  great  connecting  link 
which  unites  nation  to  nation  ;  and  without  whom  com- 
merce could  never  be  carried  on,  and  a  na\^y,  which  is 
the  defence  and  bulwark  of  our  country,  could  never  be 
maintained.     These  and  many  other  arguments  were 
used ;  and,  although  two  or  three  became  converts  to 
total  abstinence,  yet  the  others  conceived  the  disuse  of 
grog  to  be  so  great  a  |)rivation,  that  every  argument 
proved  ineffectual  to  induce  them  to  relinquish  it  alto- 
gether.    At  this  period,  it  was  the  universal  practice  to 
allow  sailors  a  glass  of  spirits  at  dinner,  and  generally,  in 
cold  and  wet  weather,  an  extra.   I  am  clearly  of  the  opin- 
ion that  many  of  the  did^culties  which  have  arisen  at  sea 
have  been  owing  to  this  custom,  for  there  has  been  more 
than  one  instance,   which   has  come  under  my  own 
experience,  where  sailors  have  saved  up  their  allows 
ance  of  spirits,  in  order  (to  use  their  own  expression)  to 
have  a  bloXv-ont.     It  was  generally  the  case  on  those^ 
occasions  that  their  conduct    became   mutinous,  and 
very  serious  consequences  followed.     Among  our  crew 
there  was  a  fine  specimen  of  a  noble  and  true-hearted 
sailor;  Jack  Saunders  was  an  able  seaman,  a  first-rate 
sailmaker,  and  a  good  carpenter;  he  was  always  the 
first  on  deck  in  his  watch,  and  no  man  was  ever  out  to 
the  weather^aring  before  him  ;   he  was  one  of  those 
generous-hearted  souls,  who  would  never  fill  his  main- 
topsail  when  he  saw  a  shipmate  in  distress.     But  poor 
Jack  had  a  particular  fondness  for  a  glass  of  grog, 
although  he  was  as  steady  as  a  clock  at  sea,  for  the 
plain  reason  that  there  was  no  grog  to  be  had ;  conse- 
quently it  could  not  be  otherwise.    I  conceived  a  strong 
desire  to  be  instrumental  in  changing  this  man's  habits, 
land  placing  him  in  a  condition  to  which  he  was  entitled 
by  his  worth  and  merit.    It  seemed,  therefore,  to  be  ne- 
cessary first  to  gain  his  confidence,  and  then  appeal  to 
Ihis  moral  feelings.     It  was  not  difficult  to  surmount  the 
Ifirst  intention  ;  but,  in  reference  to  the  second,  however, 
|it required  much  time  to  uproot  his  preconceived  notions; 
till  I  was  certain  that*  perseverance  could  even  effsct 

26 


VI 


••**'*       282       -^f**** 


i^i-^-  -•')Vrt''i<.w, 


3V>-  ~..,    / 


M 

?>. 

5,     !»  *1 

'    ■      :    1 

6  s<i 

SSI* 

•»   i«a 

g   5»» 

^   mm 

*2I 

,  CHAPTER   XXVL 

ARRIVAL  AT  BATAVIA RETURN  YOTAOE SICKNESS  OP  CREW 

PUT  IN  AT  CAPE  OP  GOOD  HOPE —>  PROFLIGACY  OP  SEA* 

'  MEN  ON  SHORE,  dtC. 

And  now  to  return  to  the  ship.     Every  thing  seemed 
to  conspire  to  make  this  voyage  pleasant  and  agreeable; 
the  wind  blew  fresh  and  fair ;  and  we  sailed  along  the 
southern  coast  of  Europe  and  the  north-east  coast  of 
Africa,  passing  along  to  the  eastward  of  the  Cape  de 
Yerd  Islands,  and,  with  the  exception  of  two  days  of 
calms  and  heavy  rains,  (of  which  we  took  advantage  to 
fill  up  all  our  water-casks,)  we  had  a  strong  north-east 
trade  wind,  and  crossed  the  equinoctial   line  in  25*^ 
west  longitude,   in   twentyneight  days  from  London* 
Without  any  cessation,  the  north-east  trades  gradually 
hauled  round  to  the  southward,  and  gave  us  a  fine  run 
across  the  south  Atlantic.     In  this  passage,  we  saw  the 
Island  of  Tristan  d'Acunha.    The  Weather  here  became 
somewhat  boisterous  and  heavy,  and  continued  thus 
until  we  reached  the  parallel  of  38^  south  latitude,  and 
34"^  east  longitude ;  then  the  wind  hauled  round  to  the 
westward,  with  steady,  strong  gales,  and,  as  we  had 
nearly  100°  of  east  longitude  to  nin,  we  continued  to 
steer  in  this  parallel  of  latitude,  say  38°  south.     With 
few  exceptions,  there  was  but  little  intermission  of  the  I 
westerly  gates  until  we  had  passed  the  parallel  of  the 
Islands  of  St.  Paul  and  Amsterdam,  and  had  reached 
105°  east  longitude,  at  which  time  we  hauled  awayj 
to  the  northward,   and,  after  experiencing  some  light,  f 
baffling  winds,  and  squally  weather,  we  succeeded  iul 
gaining  the  limits  of  the  south-east  trade  winds;  of  I 
course  the  position  of  the  ship  was  such  as  to  makel 


UVE   ON  THi:    OCEAN. 


28$ 


\«fe«««^^ 


lEBS  OF   C»BW 
,AC«    OV    SKA- 

thing  seemed 
nd  agreeable; 
iled  along  the 
.east  coast  of 
the  Cape  de 
f  two  days  of 
Vs  advantage  to 
rong  north-e^t 
a  line  m  2o 
from  London* 
ides  gradually 
p  us  a  fine  tun 
fee,  we  saw  the 
er  here  becMie 
continued  thus 
ih  latitude,  and 
.d  round  to  the 
pd,  as  we  had 
^-e  continued  0 
>  south.    Wiji 
srmission  of  the 
parallel  of  th 
rid  had  reached 
e  hauled  awa| 
ing  some  hghti, 
ie  succeeded  in 
^ade  ^vind8; !« 
Vch  as  to  inak« 


these  winds  fair,  so  that  when  they  came,  the  best  pos* 
sible  use  was  made  of  them.  On  the  14th  of  October, 
we  made  Java  Head,  bearing  east-south-east  20  miles. 
Knier<%d  the  Straits  of  Sunda  at  10  A.  M.,  and,  after  a 
tedious  passage  of  four  days,  anchored  in  Batavia  Roads, 
having  made  the  passage  in  eighty-four  days  from 
London. 

Capt.  R.  proceeded  on  shore,  and  gave  up  the  entire 
details  and  management  of  the  ship  to  me.     The  un- 
healthiness  of  Batavia  is  well  known,  and  it  is  necessary 
to  use  great  caution  in  order  to  preserve  the  health  of 
the  crew.     To  effect  this,  they  were  kept  as  much  as 
possible  from  exposure  to  the  sun  and  night  air ;  conse- 
quently, they  were  never  permitted  to  go  on  shore  in 
the  boats ;  a  crew  of  Malays  being  hired  for  the  purpose 
of  pulling  the  boat  off  and  on.     On  entering  this  port, 
we  immediately  spread  awnings  fore  and  aft  the  ship, 
and,  as  is  customary  on  India  voyages,  she  was  stripped 
to  her  girtlines ;  the  rigging  was  all  overhauled,  together 
with  every  mast  and  spar.     This  being  done,  the  most 
favorable  opportunity  was  embraced  (say    when   the 
sun  was  obscured)  to  get  the  ship  rigged  again.     By 
observing  the  most  prudent  care  with  the  crew,  they 
continued  in  a  healthy  condition  while  we  remained  in 
port.     This  was  owing  principally  to  the  fact  of  our 
having  a  large  quantity  of  water  remaining  from  our 
London  stock,  and  which  was  used  by  the  crew  during 
the  whole  of  our  stay,  having  taken  the  precaution,  at 
the  same  time,  to  fill  up  our  water-casks  when  we  first 
arrived ;  so  that,  by  the  time  we  were  ready  for  sea,  it 
became  purified  of  itself,  consequently  was  used  with- 
out the  usual  bad  effects  of  Batavia  water.    Another 
precaution  was  also  taken  which  added  much  to  the 
health  of  our  men,  viz.,  the  entire  disuse  of  ardent 
spirit,  and  the  substitution  of  coffee  in  its  place.     While 
the  yellow  fever  and  dysentery  raged,  producing  great 
mortality  among  the  crews  of  shipping  lying  in  port, 
we  did  not  lose  a  man,  neither  was  there  any  of  th9 
crew  off  duty  during  our  stay  here. 


''liRHI 


284 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


I        ! 


♦nil 
m  '' 

C-tl 

I    lit  '•( 

ir- 


.?i 


*M 


«  -fit  m 


g  Sr» 


Deid&tnber  30.  —  We  had  now  finished  taking  in  bur 
cargo  of  coffee,  and  the  ship  being  all  ready  for  sea, 
Gapt.  R.  came  on  board,  January  1st,  1818,  at  which 
time  we  got  under  way,  made  all  sail,  and  stood  down 
the  Straits.  This  being  the  season  when  the  little 
monsoon  changes,  the  passage  through  these  Straits 
was  very  much  retarded  by  severe  squalls,  attended 
With  heavy  rains  and  frequent  calms.  The  heat  w.^s 
almost  insufferable  ;  so  much  so  that  we  were  obliged 
frequently  to  anchor,  in  order  to  keep  the  men  from 
being  exposed  to  the  intensity  of  the  sun's  rays ;  and, 
incredible  as  it  may  appear,  nevertheless,  I  have  known 
Fahrenheit's  thermometer  to  range  from  100  to  105 
degrees  in  the  shade.  Nine  days  elapsed  before  we 
got  clear  of  the  Straits,  and  then  oiir  troubles  com- 
menced; eight  of  the  crew  were  attacked  with  fever 
and  dysentery,  and  the  remainder  of  us  were  much  de- 
bilitated and  weakened,  which  is  always  the  case  with 
northern  constitutions  by  long  exposure  to  the  heat  in 
tropical  climates.  Nor  did  I  escape  from  that  terrible 
malady,  the  dysentery,  which  reduced  me  nearly  to  the 
last  stage  of  life  ;  and  although  every  means  proved  in- 
effectual for  restoration  which  kindness  and  medicd 
treatment  could  suggest,  I  was  at  last  relieved  by  a 
very  simple  remedy,  proposed  by  the  generous-hearted 
Jack  Saunders,  before  mentioned.  Thirty-seven  days 
passed  away  without  any  material  alteration  in  the 
biealth  of  the  crew,  and  it  became  necessary,  for  the 
safety  of  the  ship  and  the  lives  of  our  men,  to  put  into 
some  port ;  it  was,  therefore,  decided  by  Capt.  R.  to  go 
into  Table  Bay,  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1818,  the  carpenter,  who 
had  lingered  until  this  time  with  dysentery,  expired. 
This  circumstance  produced  universal  gloom  through- 
out the  ship,  particularly  as  there  were  seven  others 
who  lay  at  the  point  of  death.  Fortunately,  however, 
for  us,  the  wind  was  fair,  and  on  the  13th  we  made  the 
Cape,  and  entered  Table  Bay  on  the  14th,  where  we 
anchored  in  twelve  fathoms  water,  one  mile  and  a  half 
from  the  shore. 


LIVE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


285 


king  in  out 
iy  for  sea, 
J,  at  which 
stood  down 
a  the  Uttle 
ticse   Straits 
Is,  attended 
ae  heat  waS 
were  obliged 
le  men  from 
I'srays;  and, 
have  known 
100  to  105 
ed  before  we 
troubles  corn- 
ed with  fever 
vere  much  de- 
the  case  with 
to  the  heat  in 
that  terrible 
,  nearly  to  the 
5ans  proved  in- 
and  medical 
relieved  by  a 
rjnerous-hearted 

[rty-seven  days 
eration  m  the 
jessary,  for  the 
ken,  to  put  into 
Capt.  R.  to  go 


It  may  be  remarked  that  vessels  can  only  ride  with 
safety  in  this  bay  during  the  summer  months,  which 
correspond  to  our  winter,  as  the  winds  usually  blow  from 
the  north-west  at  this  place  in  the  winter  season.  These 
winds  have  the  whole  sweep  of  the  south  Atlantic 
Ocean,  which  causes  the  sea  to  run  so  heavily,  that  an- 
chors and  cables  are  of  no  use  whatever.  In  these 
months,  vessels  harbor  in  False  Bay ;  however,  even  in 
the  summer  months,  the  violence  of  the  south««ast  winds 
is  so  great,  notwithstanding  they  blow  off  shore,  that 
vessels  are  obliged  to  ride  with  all  their  yards  and 
topmasts  struck,  and  every  anchor  ahead. 

As  soon  as  we  got  our  ship  snug,  the  sick  were  all 
taken  on  shore,  placed  in  comfortable  quarters,  and  the 
best  treatment  and  medical  advice  were  procured  for 
them.     In  about  a  week  they  were  all  pronounced  to  be 
out  of  danger.     The  Cape  of  Good  Hope  may  be  con- 
sidered as  wholesome  a  climate  as  any  part  of  the  world. 
As  Cape  Town  is  situated  on  a  considerable  eminence, 
and  the  adjacent  country  being  mountainous,  conse- 
quently the  air  is  very  pure,  and  the  atmosphere  salu- 
brious.    The  town  is  remarkable  for  its  cleanliness ;  the 
streets  are  wide,  and,  although  the  buildings  are  neither 
large  nor  magnificent,  yet  they  immediately  impress  the 
traveller  with  the  idea  of  neatness  and  comfort.     At  the 
precincts  of  the  town,  on  the  eastern  part,  is  situated 
the  Company's  garden^  the  size  of  which  is  about  four 
square  miles,  and  constructed  in  the  most  tasteful  aud 
fanciful  manner,  after  the  Chinese  style.     At  the  extreme 
end  of  these  gardens  is  a  menagerie  of  nearly  all  de- 
scriptions of  wild  animals  found  in  Asia  and  Africa; 
the  most  singular  of  those  which  I  saw  was  an  ourang- 
outang,  measuring  six  feet  four  inches  in  height,  when 
erect.     The  vineyards  are  large   and  flourishing;  the 
grape  is  cultivated  to  great  perfection,  from  which  is 
extracted  wine  in  great  abundance,  it  being  almost  the 
I  only  article  which  is  exported  from  the  Cape,     A  most 
singular  phenomenon  exists  respecting  these  vineyards, 
lor  those  called  the   Conptantia  vineyards,  (the  grape 
26*  V 


i  ¥ 


I'i 


«»* 


>■ 


286 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAW. 


of  which  produces  a  very  rich  and  delicate  wine,)  which 
are  only  two  in  number ;  it  seems  that  no  other  spot 
(even  if  the  Constantia  vine  is  transplanted)  in  the 
Cape  colony  will  produce  the  Constantia  grape,  and 
yield  therefrom  the  same  kind  of  wine.  It  has  been  as- 
certained that,  by  transplanting  the  vine,  it  will  entirely 
degenerate  into  the  ordinary  kind  of  grape.  Refresh- 
ments of  all  kinds  may  be  had  here,  and  in  great  abun- 
dance, especially  beef  and  mutton ;  the  latter  may  be 
purchased  at  low  rates,  and  forms  the  principal  article  of 
live  stock  for  shipping ;  here,  too,  perhaps,  is  the  finest 
fresh  water  in  the  world.  All  these  advantages  con- 
sidered, it  must  be  conceded  that  this  port  is  among  the 
best  in  these  seas  for  homeward-bound  East  Indiamen 
to  refresh  and  renovate  a  relaxed  and  debilitated  crew. 
"We  remained  here  eighteen  days,  at  the  expiration 
of  whioh  period  our  men,  being  all  ooovalescent,  were 
taken  on  board. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th  March,  weighed  anchor, 
made  all  sail,  and  stood  to  sea  with  a  fine  south-east 
trade  wind.  Having  supplied  the  ship  with  plenty  of 
fresh  stock  and  vegetables,  and  the  weather  being  ex^ 
ceedingly  fine,  it  was  not  long  before  the  crew  were 
restored  to  their  usual  health  and  strength.  Having 
mentioned,  in  a  previous  part  of  this  narrative,  on  a 
former  voyage,  the  mi  interrupted  steadiness  of  the  winds 
and  weather,  1  will  here  merely  state  that,  for  twenty- 
five  successive  days,  the  windcontinuec)  to  blow  steadily 
at  south-east,  so  that  we  carried  studding-sails  on  both 
sides  during  the  whole  of  this  period,  and  crossed  the 
equinoctial  line  the  26th  day  from  the  Cape,  in  22°  west 
longitude. 

'  Nothing  material  transpired  during  our  run  across 
the  north-east  trade  wiud&,  until  we  arrived  at  the  84° 
north  latitude,  and  then  we  had  the  winds  variable,  gene-i 
rally  from  the  westward,  until  we  reached  the  Biitishj 
Channel ;  where  we  took  a  strong  eastwardly  gale,  whicl 
continued  to  blow  with  unremitting  violence  for  thir- 
teen days,  when  it  abated,  and  we  took  9XX  English  piloi 


Was 
and, 
hoiste 
near  J  J 
saw, 

leeins 


Lire    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


287 


ine,)  which 
►  other  spot 
ited)  in  the 
grape,  and 
has  been  as- 

will  entirely 
je.     Kefresh- 
n  great  abun- 
atter  may  be 
;ipal  article  of 
5,  is  the  finest 
.vantages  con- 
t  is  among  the 
Bast  Indiameii 
5biUtated  crew. 

the  expitation 
ivaVescent,  were 

weighed  anchor, 
fine  south-easi 
1  with  plenty  of 
Lther  being  ex^ 
'  the  crew  were 
,„gth.     Having 
narrative,  on  u 
.essofthewmdsl 

hat,  for  twenty- 
to  Wow  steadily  L 

.ng-sails  on  both 
and  crossed  the 

'jape,  in  22°  west 

.  our  nm  across 

rived  at  the  84° 

Ids  variable,  gend 

'phed  the  Biitish 

ard^y  gal«"»  ""'^f. 
Llence  for  l^ 


for  the  North  Sea,  and  in  three  days  arrived  at  the  port  of 
Amsterdam.  ,u 

June  10,  1818. — We  immediately  commenced  dis- 
charging cargo,  which  was  completed  in  about  tea  days, 
and  ascertained,  to  our  great  satisfaction,  that  the  ship 
would  make  a  splendid  voyage  for  the  owners. 

This  being  the  port  of  discharge,  according  to  the 
articles  of  agreement,  the  crew  were  entitled  to  their 
discharge  and  wages ;  they  all  agreed,  however,  to  go 
home  in  the  ship,  provided  they  could  have  a  week's 
hberty,  and  their  full  amount  of  wages.     Up  to  this 
period  they  had  conducted  with  great  propriety,  and 
perhaps  they  were  under  as  good  discipline  as  merchant 
vessels  generally  are  ;  and,  as  I  fstt  an  unusual  interest 
for  them,  in  view  of  their  good  conduct,  especially  for 
Jack  Saunders,  I  endeavored  to  persuade  them  to  re- 
main on  board,  well  knowing  that  in  such  a  place  as 
the  Holder,  if  they  were  in  possession  of  their  wages, 
they  would  probably  get  rid  of  the  whole  before  we  left 
the  port.     My  persuasion  proved  ineffectual ;  they  per- 
sisted in  their  exactions,  and  of  course  there  was  no 
other  alternative  but  to  pay  them  off,  and  give  them 
their  desired  liberty.     It  fell  to  my  lot  to  be  paymaster. 
Each  one  of  them  had  from  one  hundred  and  twenty  to 
one  hundred  and   fifty  dollars  due  him.     When   Jack 
Saunders's  turn  came,  I  felt  particularly  anxious  to  retain 
one  hundred  dollars  of  his  money,  being  assured,  if  ho 
oiice  got  on  a  cruise,  such  was  the  generosity  of  his 
nature,  that  he  would  be  quickly  relieved  of  his  store  of 
cash.     It  was  of  no  avail,  however,  and  off  they  all 
started  for  a  cruise.     This  was  about  1 1  o'clock.     The 
next  day,  I  perceived  poor  Jack  Saunders,  about  half- 
seas  over,  rolling  down  the  dike  toward  the  ship.     It 
was  with  difficulty  he  got  alongside,  being  so  drunk ; 
and,  with  the  help  of  the  cook  and  steward,  he  was 
hoisted  in  and  placed  in  his  berth,  where  he  slept  for 
nearly  eighteen  hours,     A  more  ludicrous  figure  I  never 
saw,  and  a  more  improvident  sailor  never  existed.     It 
leems,  immediately  after  he  was  paid  off,  he  repaired  ta 


f 


f :     \-^ 


288 


LIFE    ON   TUB    OCEAN. 


CM' 

m  • 


^ 


>■ 


m  9* 


the  shop  of  a  Jew,  and  purchased  a  complete  suit  from 
head  to  foot,  for  which  he  paid  a  most  exorbitant  price. 
The  hat  was  of  the  most  ordinary  kind,  and  the  clothes, 
as  a  jailor  would  say,  were  made  of  Nantucket  broad- 
cloth, viz.,  three  threads  to  an  arm-full.     The  remaining 
part  of  his  dress  was  nearly  of  the  same  description. 
To  crown  the  whole,  he  purchased  of  this  villanous 
Jew  a  pinchbeck  watch,  for  which  he  paid  twenty  dol- 
lars, which,  in  reality,  was  not   worth  two.     To  this 
watch  was  attached  a  chain  about  a  foot  in  length,  made 
of  coarse  black  hair,  at  the  end  of  which  was  a  key,  net 
for  the  purpose  of  winding  the  watch,  but  actually  a 
door  key;  and  as  a  finish  to  this  beautiful  collection 
of  symmetrical  proportions,  connected  with  the  key  was 
a  large,  rough,  cornelian  stone,  which  served  as  a  seal. 
His  next  step  was,  to  hire  a  dance-house  exclusively  for 
himself,  ready  furnished  with  some  half-doaeu  girls,  two 
fiddlers,  and  a  bar-room  par  excellence.     The  remainder 
of  the  narration  I  received  from  poor  Jack.     It  seems 
that,  after  carousing  the  whole  night,  he  was  not  only 
bamboozled  out  of  all  of  his  money,  but,  in  the  morn- 
ing, he  was  very  unceremoniously  kicked  out  of  doors. 
Making  his  way  to  the  ship  as  well  as  he  could,  he  fell 
into  a  mud-puddle,  and  lay  there  until  he  was  helped 
out  of  the  difficulty  by  two  men,  who  placed  him  on  the 
dike  where  I  first  saw  him  bending  his  way  towards  the 
ship.     His  hat  was  much  crushed,  and,  as  a  sailor  would 
say,  "  was  full  of  cable-tier  pinches ; "  his  clothes  were 
mud  from  top  to  bottom ;  and,  not  having  any  suspenders 
on,  the  bight  of  his  shirt  stuck  out  about  four  inches 
between  the  trousers  and  jacket.     The  immense  long 
watch-chain  hung  dangling  nearly  down  to  his  knees; 
altogether,  poor  Jack   was  completely  metamorphosed. 
When  he  turned  out  in  the  morning,  I  inquired  of  him  { 
how  he  felt  after  his  carouse. 

"  Pretty  light,  sir,"  replied  he,  slapping  his  pockets, 
"for  they  have  eased  me  of  all  my  whack." 

♦'  What ! "  replied  I,  *<  all  gone  ?" 

♦'Not  quite,"  returned  hej  ^Tve  got  something  tol 


i  1 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


S89 


e  suit  from 

)itant  price. 

the  clothes, 

icket  broad- 

le  remaining 
description. 

lis  villanous 
twenty  dol- 

ro.     To  this 

length,  made 

as  a  key,  not 

at  actually  a 

ful  collectiou 

ti  the  key  was 

ved  as  a  seal. 

pxclnsively  for 

o»en  girls,  two 

rhe  remainder 

ick.     It  seems 

5  was  not  only 
,  in  the  moni- 
out  of  doors. 
a  could,  he  fell 
he  was  helped 
sed  him  on  the 
-g^y  towards  the 
I  a  sailor  would 
iis  clothes  wer». 
any  suspenders 
,ut  four  inches 
immense  long 
n  to  his  knees; 
netamorphosed. 
Inquired  of  him 

ig  his  pockets, 
tk.» 

something  ^\ 


show  for  it ; "  pulling  out  his  watch  with  the  copious 
trappings  attached  thereto,  and  handing  it  to  me,  saying, 
"  A  pretty  little  time-keeper,  sir."  I  examined  the  watch, 
and  the  result  was,  that  the  case  was  made  out  of  a  piece 
of  stout  tin  washed  over,  and  the  internal  works  bore  a 
pretty  strong  resemblance  to  the  case.  .    ,j. 

In  three  days  the  men  were  all  on  board  j  and  with 
the  exception  of  two,  they  had  all  spent  their  wages  j 
but,  unlike  my  protegi,  Jack,  they  had  nothing  to  show 
for  it.  I  have  been  thus  particular  in  noticing  this 
occurrence  in  full,  to  show  the  improvidence  of  sailors, 
and  to  show  that  very  little  can  be  effected  to  advance 
their  moral  character,  unless  they  can  be  impressed 
with  the  absolute  necessity  oC  total  abstinence  from  all 
intoxicating  drinks. 

June  25.  —  The  ship  being  now  ballasted  and  ready 
for  sea,  advantage  was  taken  of  an  eastwardly  wind. 
We  cast  off  from  the  Holder,  and  proceeded  once  more 
through  the  "  kyk  down  "  channel,  on  our  homeward 
passage  to  Baltimore.  We  had  a  fine  wind  through 
the  North  Sea  and  down  the  English  Channel,  and  on 
the  morning  of  the  first  of  July  took  our  departure  from 
the  Lizard  light,  it  bearing  north-east  and  by  east,  five 
leagues  distant.  At  meridian  the  Island  of  Great  Britain 
had  the  appearance  of  an  irregular  dotted  line  upon  the 
wide  surface  of  the  ocean ;  and  at  sunset,  the  blue 
speck,  which  had  claimed  our  attention  for  some  hours 
past,  had  sunk  in  the  distance,  and  once  more  we  were 
rolling  over  the  broad  Atlantic  toward  our  native  land. 
Order  aiid  regularity  being  again  restored,  I  embraced 
a  favorable  moment  to  present  to  the  minds  of  the 
crew  the  evil  consequence  of  improvidence,  as  well  as 
the  indulgence  of  that  worst  of  all  practices,  viz.,  the 
inordinate  use  of  ardent  spirits.  I  pointed  out  to  them 
the  ruin  that  must  inevitably  ensue  to  soul  and  body  by 
persisting  in  its  use ;  and  by  appealing  to  their  present 
condition,  I  showed  them  that,  after  nearly  a  year  and  a 
half  of  toil  and  privation,  they  were  returning  home  pen- 
niless, and  all  for  the  single  gratification  of  what  they 


s 

« 

t«         ( 

I 


290 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCBAIT. 


>i 


called  the  pleasures  of  a  cruise ;  the  sum  total  of  which 
was  combined  in  swilling  grog  to  drunkenness.  The 
force  of  these  appeals  seemed  to  make  a  deep  impression, 
and  the  fact  staring  them  in  the  face  of  returning  to  the 
United  States,  after  so  long  an  absence,  without  means, 
and  that  they  would  necessarily  be  obliged  tc  embark 
speedily  again,  was  a  source  of  mortification  which 
sometimes  wrought  them  up  almost  to  a  pitch  of  frenzy 
and  madness.  I  had  abundant  reason  to  believe,  how- 
ever, that  this  was  a  salutary  lesson,  as  most  of  them, 
having  seen  their  error,  assured  me  they  had  sworn  off 
forever  from  drinking  liquor.  How  far  these  resolutions 
were  kept  after  they  got  on  shore  I  know  not,  but 
while  on  board  they  wera  true  to  their  promise. 

We  had  a  fine  run  across  the  Atlantic,  with  uniformly 
good  weather,  and  on  the  6th  of  August,  1818,  took  a 
pilot  on  board,  and  entered  the  Chesapeake  Bay.  The 
win0  being  fresh  from  the  southward,  we  had  a  fine  run 
up,  and  on  the  8th,  once  more  let  go  our  anchor  in  the 
port  of  Baltimore. 


'    1  . 
1 


%} 


291 


Ui 


^m 


a1  of  which 
iiiess.    The 
)  impression, 
irning  to  the 
;hout  means, 
i  to  embark 
•ation  which 
ich  of  frenzy 
jelieve,  how- 
lost  of  them, 
ad  sworn  oflf 
,se  resolutions 
low   not,  but 
mise. 

rith  uniformly 
,  1818,  took  a 
ke  Bay.  The 
had  a  fine  run 
anchor  in  the 


i*,  "w 


ii-iiij       .1*.). 


ly*^     ) 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

MARRIAGE TARB8  COMMAND  OF  THE  SHIP  WILLIAM TOTAOI 

TO    LIRBON  — HEAVY    GALES. 

I  WAS  once  more  on  terra  firma,  surrounded  by -my 
friends,  and  her  to  whom  my  vows  were  plighted,  and 
with  whom  I  expected  shortly  to  be  united  in  the  holy 
bonds  of  matrimony.  To  this  event  I  looked  forward 
with  unmingied  feelings  of  pleasure  —  with  those  de- 
lightful anticipations  of  enjoying  that  happiness  which 
is  only  consequent  upon  domestic  and  conmibial  life. 
No  obstacle  now  presented  itself  to  prevent  its  consum- 
mation :  on  the  contrary,  I  had  reached  the  acme  of  my 
profession,  having  been  appointed  to  the  command  of 
the  ship  in  which  I  last  sailed ;  and  my  pecuniary  cir- 
cumstances and  {prospects  were  such  as  to  justify  the 
important  step  which  I  was  about  to  take.  Considera- 
tions of  this  nature  induced  me  to  hasten  the  period  of 
our  nuptials,  as  the  ship  to  which  I  had  been  appointed 
was  already  taking  in  cargo,  and  was  destined  to  sail  ir. 
the  course  of  two  weeks.  Accordingly,  as  no  objections 
were  raised,  the  marriage  ceremony  was  performed  on 
I  the  18th  day  of  August,  1818. 

1  had  now  entered  upon  a  new  course  of  life ;  conse- 
[quently,  obligations  and  responsibilities  multiplied  with 

9  change ;  and  although  I  was  in  possession  of  all 
[that  happiness  which  I  had  long  contemplated,  yet  a 
shade  of  gloom  would  often  pass  across  my  mind  at  the 
idea  of  being  so  soon  separated  from  the  object  who 
Iwas  as  dear  to  me  as  life  itself.  Then,  again,  the  pre- 
Icariousness  of  a  seaman's  life,  with  its  constant  exposure, 
{{voduced  a  feeling  very  opposite  to  that  buoyancy  of 


9 

1 

i« 

,'l 


,» 


293 


Lire   ON   ¥tlfe   OCfiAN. 


spirit   which    had 


when  embarking 


■•(•ft 


so  strongly  marked  my  character 
on  former  voyages.  However,  that 
moral  feeling  which  had  of  late  gathered  around  my 
character  now  excited  me  to  action  and  diligence ;  be* 
lieving  that  I  saw  my  accumulate'^"  responsibility  in  its 
proper  light,  it  was  a  new  motive  to  stimulate  my  ex- 
ertions, in  order  to  sustain  with  becoming  respect  the 
domestic  and  social  relations  of  life.  With  these  views, 
therefore,  I  cheerfully  renewed  my  engagements,  and 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  my  new  station  as  com* 
maiider  of  the  ship  William. 

On  the  30th  of  August,  she  had  completed  taking  in 
cargo,  and  was  ready  for  sea ;  and  on  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember, after  exchanging  painful  adieus,  under  feelings 
that  can  be  better  imagined  than  I  can  possibly  de* 
scribe  them,  I  hastened,  with  tremulous  steps,  on  board 
the  ship,  and,  the  wind  being  fair,  in  a  very  few  minutes , 
We  were  under  a  press  of  canvass,  standing  down  the] 
river. 

I  shall  forbear  entering  into  a  tedious  detail  in  refef'j 
ence  to  the  duties  connected  with  a  ship  on  leavingl 
port,  as  they  have  been  often  described  in  the  foregoingl 
part  of  this  work.  Being  now  invested  with  the  entirei 
control  and  management  of  this  ship,  and  as  I  had  seenj 
the  good  effects  produced  by  a  course  of  mild  and  kind] 
treatment,  connected  with  an  unrelaxed  state  of  disci-l 
pline,  to  the  sailors,  by  Capt.  R.,  on  the  last  voyage,  ll 
determined  to  shape  my  course,  in  future,  in  a  similarl 
way.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the  usual  duties  were  overj 
on  leaving  the  land,  such  as  clearing  the  decks,  setting 
the  watch,  &c.,  a  set  of  rules  and  regulations  was  dra^ 
up,  and  given  to  the  crew,  prohibiting  all  profane  la 
guage,  fighting,  or  wrangling ;  no  uimecessary  won 
to  be  done  on  Sabbath  days;  and  that,  in  the  roon 
of  the  usual  allowance  of  ardent  spirits,  they  werj 
to  have  coffee,  tea,  and  sugar ;  —  they  were  also  to  han 
the  forenoon- watch  below  at  all  times,  and  watch 
watch  in  bad  weather,  and  Saturday  was  allowed  ft| 
washing  and  repairing  their  clothes,  <S&c.     Implicit  oil 


the 
Jieele 
Pack 
jirious 

SCI 

wit 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


293 


dience  to  the  commands  of  the  officers  would  at  all 
times  be  required.  Every  feature  of  these  rules  seemed 
to  be  well  received  by  the  crew,  with  the  exception  of 
the  grog  ,*  they  chose  rather  to  relinquish  the  coffee)  tea^ 
&c.,  than  have  their  allowance  of  spirits  withheld ;  to 
this  I  assented,  well  knowing  that,  to  deprive  a  sailor  of 
his  allowance  of  grog  by  coercive  measures,  would  not 
only  prove  the  intended  effect  abortive,  but  would  also 
be  a  source  of  grumbling,  and  perhaps  mutinous  conduct, 
during  the  voyage. 

In  the  first  part  of  this  passage,  a  little  difficulty  was 
encountered  to  restrain  the  snamen  from  the  use  of  pro- 
fane language,  owing  principally,  however,  to  the  fact, 
that  a  pernicious  example  was  set  them  by  the  officers. 
By  frequent  appeals,  however,  to  their  moral  feelings, 


rjy  character 
owever,  that 
I  around  my 
liligence  5  be- 
osibility  in  its 
lulate  my  ex- 
ig  respect  the 
h  these  views, 
agements,  and 
tation  as  com- 

leted  taking  in 
;he  1st  of  Sep- 
,,  under  feeluigs 

^^  on  board  I  and  strict  adherence  to  the  undeviating  course  adopted 
^  f  w  minutes  I  in  this  respect,  its  use  was  soon  banished  from  the 
rJinadown  thelship. 

uiuii  e  ■    tijjs  being  the  month  when  the  sun  crosses  the  au* 

L^^*  1  tail  in  refer*  Btuninal  equinox,  we  had  a  constant  succession  of  heavy 

^^  w     on  leavingBs<lualls  and  gales  since  our  departure  from  Cape  Henry ; 

.  *P.     foregoingB^<^  ns  the  ship  was  deeply  laden  with  corn,  almost  be- 

V^   th  the  entirelyond  her  bearings,  every  seaman  will  know  that  she 

T^   \  had  seenfcust  have  been  iaborsome  and  very  uneasy.     On  the 

f    ^\di  and  kindliorning  of  the  24th  of  September,  the  weather  was 

A  ^t  te  of  disci- Jark  and  cloudy,  and  it  blew  a  gale  from  south-south- 

K    \  st  voyage,  ifrest,  with  a  heavy,  rolling  sea.     The  top-gallant  yards 

^n  a  similaifrere  sent  down  and  well  secured  on  deck  ;  the  topsails 

^^^t'  «4  were  oveiB^ere  close-reefed ;  and  the  mizzen-topsail,  jib,  and  spank- 

duties  .^^^  ^^^^  furled.  At  4  P.  M. ,  the  gale  increased,  with  heavy 

lowers  of  rain,    attended   with  severe  thunder    and 

ghtning.     At  this  time,  the  fore-topsail  was  furled  and 

e  foresail  reefed,  and  the  ship  was  brought  to  the  wind 

I  the  starboard  tack  ;  before  night  the  appearance  of 

e  elements  was  awful  in  the  extreme ;  heavy,  dense, 


[the  decks,  setting 
Rations  was  drar 
Iff  all  profane  la 
umecessary  vron 


bat,  in 


the  tooD 


— •    t      theV  -weiwe  elements  was  awiui  mine  exirerae,  ncavy,  ucnac, 

spirits,        ^^  yia#ack  clouds  rose  up  to  the  northward,  and  were  driven 

^^"^^a* watch  aAriously  along  until  they  met  with  the  impetuous  south- 

'        allowed  ffllst  scud,  when  the  frightful  concussion  broke  upon  the 

^  ^^^roplicit  oW  with  peal  on  peal  of  roaring  thunder,  while  the  light- 

27 


a 


d04 


LtrE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


■a* 
C 


I 


u.^ 


>1 


b  ■■■'  »■' 

Ml  "«> 


niiig's  horrid  glare  played  arOllhd  the  masts  and  rigging, 
and,  as  if  impelled  hy  some  demon  of  destruction,  threat- 
ened to  envelop  the  noble  ship  in  one  vast  sheet  of 
flame.  While  memory  holds  its  empire,  I  shall  never 
forget  that  night.  At  midnight,  wore  round  on  the  lar- 
board tack,  furled  the  main-topsail  and  foresail,  and  set 
the  storm'-staysails.  Such  was  the  deafening  roar  of 
the  elements)  the  bellowing  thunder,  and  the  terrific 
blasts  of  wind,  which  ever  and  anon  came  howling  o'er 
the  angry  deep,  that  it  was  impossible  to  be  heard,  with 
a  speaking  trumpet,  half  the  length  of  the  ship.  At  1 
A.  M.,  the  dense  pile  of  black  clouds  lifted  their  enormous 
masses  from  the  horizon  from  north  to  west,  presenting 
a  long  streak  of  clear,  blue  sky ;  at  the  same  moment 
was  heard  a  heavy-roaring  peal  of  thunder,  attended  by 
a  sharp  flash  of  lightning ;  then  came  the  sudden  and 
awful  change  of  wind  from  norih*north-west. 

The  gale  struck  the  ship  with  furious  blast,  and  threw  | 
her  down,  two  feet  of  her  main  deck  being  under  water.  1 
To  add  to  the  horror  of  this  awful  scene,  the  forward] 
bulk-head  broke   away  below  the   lower-deck    beams, 
which  drove  the  immense  body  of  corn  into  the  fore* 
peak  :  at  the  same  time,  the  planks  which  formed  the! 
casings  of  the  pumps  started  from  the  joists  to  whicjil 
they  were  secured  with  spikes,  and  the  corn  found  its] 
way  into  the  pump-well,  which  was  soon  filled  up 
far  as  between  decks.     The  violence,  too,  of  the  first! 
blast,  split  the  mizzen-staysail,  and  it  blew  from  the| 
bolt-ro|)e.     The  only  sails  she  now  had  on  her  wep 
the  fore  and  main-staysails ;    consequently,  having  nol 
after-sail,  she  fell  oflT,  and  brought  the  seaa-beam.     Poh 
Innately,  however,  the  wind  had  not  blown  sufficient!^ 
long  to  make  a  dangerous  sea.     It  was  nevertheless  1 
perilous  situation,  and  it  became  absolutely  necessar 
for  the  safety  of  the  ship  either  to  take  in  the  fore-toflway 
mast  staysail,  or  to  get  tarpaulins  in  the  mizzen  rigginfand, 
so  as  to  keep  her  up  to  the  wind.     We  were  sooBalon^ 
however,  relieved  from  the  necessity  of  taking  in  tliioii  tl 
staysails ;  for  at  this  moment,  on  came  a  terrific  gust  iitntc  tl 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


295 


,  and  rigging? 
iction,  threat- 
irast  sheet  of 
1  shall  never 
id  on  the  lar- 
resail,  and  set 
fening  roar  of 
rtd  the  terrific 
e  howling  o'er 
be  heard,  with 
le  ship.     At  1 
their  enormous 
vest,  presenting 
e  same  moment 
ier,  attended  by 
the  sudden  and 
•west. 

blast,  and  threw 
jing  under  water, 
en?,  the  forward 
^er-deck    beams, 
xn  into  the  fore- 
rhich  formed  th 
>  joists  to  which 
%e  corn  found  its 
soon  filled  up  j 
I  too,  of  the  m 
Hi  blew  from  the 
had  on  her  were- 
lently,  having  «( 
Iseaa-beam.  /« 
blown  sufficientl] 
Us  nevertheless 
solutely  necessai 
^e  in  the  fore-to] 
le  mizzen  rigg»r 
^e  were  so< 
^  of  taking  in  « 
.e  a  terrific  g«8*' 


wind,  and  the  staysails  were  blown  to  pieces.  The 
ship,  being  now  somewhat  eased  from  the  pressure  of 
the  canvass,  righted  so  far  as  to  bring  her  deck  out  of 
water.  The  tarpaulins  were  accordingly  secured  in  the 
mizzen  rigging,  and  with  this  she  lay  for  a  short  time 
comparatively  well.  But  when  the  morning  light  broke 
fortli,  the  gale,  as  if  with  maddening  fury,  seemed  to  re- 
double its  violence.  No  longer  was  the  ship  capable  of 
resistance,  and  the  only  alternative  for  her  safety,  and 
the  lives  of  the  crew,  was  to  get  her  before  the  wind. 
This  was  the  more  unavoidable  as  she  strained  exceed- 
ingly in  her  upper  works,  and  was  now  leaking  con- 
siderably :  imperious  necessity,  therefore,  demanded  that 
some  plan  should  be  executed  to  get  the  corn  from 
out  of  the  pump-well,  so  that  we  might  work  them, 
and  fiee  the  ship.  The  sea  had  risen  to  an  alarming 
height,  and  every  seaman  will  know  the  danger  of 
keeping  the  ship  off  in  such  a  moment  as  this.  It  was, 
however,  the  only  alternative.  Four  men  were  sent  on 
the  fore-yard  to  slacken  down  the  gaskets  of  the  clew 
of  the  foresail,  and  two  men  were  sent  into  the  mizzen 
rigging  to  cut  away  the  tarpaulins.  All  being  now 
ready,  the  starboard  head-braces  were  hauled  in,  and 
the  after-yards  squared ;  the  helm  then  was  put  to 
weather,  the  fore-tack  was  bowsed  taut,  and  the  tar- 
paulins were  cut  away.  For  a  moment  the  ship  shook 
violently,  but  presently  she  began  to  fall  oif.  When 
about  four  points  from  the  wind,  a  heavy  sea  came 
rolling  on  with  frightful  rapidity.  The  vessel  could 
not  clear  it.  I  saw  an  awful  crisis  at  hand,  and  shout- 
ed for  every  man  to  secure  himself  as  best  he  could. 
I  The  immense  weight  of  water  fell  on  board,  knocking 
the  launch  out  of  the  chocks,  and  sweeping  away  spars, 
water-casks,  and  the  starboard  bulwarks  from  the  gang- 
way to  the  fore  rigging.  She  was  now  before  the  wind, 
land,  like  an  impatient  steed  when  checked,  dashed 
lalong  at  the  rate  of  ten  knots,  sometimes  careening 
Ion  the  top  of  a  mountain  wave,  and  then  plunging 
Into  the  fearful  abyss  which  threatened  to  swallow  her 


5l 


296 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


up  in  its  merciless  chasms  of  whirling  commotion. 
Four  hours  of  extreme  peril  and  intense  anxiety  passed 
away,  and  not  till  the  sun  had  crossed  its  meridian  did 
the  gust  become  less  violent.  At  3  P.  M.,  it  moderated; 
and  the  gale,  though  severe,  was  not  dangerous,  as  the 
sea  became  regular  and  following. 

Thus  fur  it  had  been  impossible  to  do  any  thing  in 
reference  to  getting  the  corn  from  the  pump-well.  A 
barricado  was  now  erected,  and  the  pumps  were  hoisted 
out ;  then  one  man  was  lowered  down  with  a  sack,  by  a 
girtline,  from  the  main-top.  The  sack  was  filled  with 
corn,  then  drawn  up,  again  let  down,  and  so  on  in  this 
way  we  continued  to  clear  the  pump-well ;  but  the 
progress  was  necessarily  slow.  The  leak  was  soon 
discovered  and  stopped,  and  at  the  expiration  of  seven 
hours  the  well  was  entirely  cleared,  the  pumps  were 
lowered  into  their  places,  and  the  ship  was  pumped  out, 
having  made  but  two  feet  and  a  half  of  water  during 
the  whole  of  the  gale. 

The  next  object  was  to  secure  the  forward  bulk-head;  I  The  < 
this  labor,  however,  was  deferred  until  the  next  morn-  iafter 
ing,  when  the  gale  had  moderated  sufficiently,  so  as  to  f 
get  sail  enough  on  the  ship  to  keep  her  steady.     The 
bulk-head  was  secured  as  strongly  as  practicable,  and 
the  severe  disasters  which  we  had  received  were  now! 
repaired ;   but  the  loss  of  the  corn   which  had  been 
pumped  out,  and  the  balance  having  shifted,  it  gave  the 
ship  nearly  four  streaks'  list  to  starboard — so  that,  wheni 
we  arrived  in   Lisbon,  she  was  as  much  careened  asl 
when  carrying  sail  in  a  hard  gale.     I  had  no  reason  to] 
regret  having  established  the  course  of  treatment  andlireiij^] 
regulations,  with  the  crew,  which  have  been  stated  atftng  cll 
the  commencement  of  this  voyage ;  on  the  contraryMretchil 
every  man  did  his  duty  cheerfully  and  in  a  seaman-likftsion. 
manner ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  ability  and  exerlelievjjj 
tions  of  the  seamen,  the  ship  could  not  have  been  savedMss  ris| 

October  6. — Came  to  an  a.ichor  abreast  of  Bellianliich 
Castle,  the  place  appointed  for  vessels  subject  to  quaraiilccordij 
tine  restrictions ;  and  as  our  ship  w^as  of  that  number,  oliickiy[ 

21 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


297 


commotion 


course  we  had  to  comply  with  the  existing  laws,  which 
were  more  rigid  with  vessels  laden  with  grain,  because 
the  importation  of  this  article  was  much  greater  from 
the  Mediterranean  than  from  all  other  ports.  To  this 
fear  of  the  plague  and  other  contagious  diseases,  so  prev- 
alent among  the  Mediterranean  islands,  being  intro- 
duced, may  be  attributed  the  strict  regulations  alluded  to. 
We  were  not  permitted  to  send  th©  letter-bag  on  shore 
until  three  days  after  our  arrival,  and  even  then  the 
letters  underwent  a  most  ridiculous  process  before  they 
were  delivered  to  their  respective  owners.  After  all,  the 
whole  modus  operandi  of  executing  these  regulations  was 
a  mere  farce :  for  instance,  grain  seems  to  be  the  great 
bugbear;  nevertheless  it  is  landed,  and  taken  up  to  the 
city,  immediately  after  its  arrival,  —  thereby  incurring 
all  the  risk  their  obnoxious  laws  endeavor  to  prevent ; 
and  it  would  appear,  therefore,  that  this  perplexing 
delay  is  intended  mainly  to  make  additional  expense. 
Nothing  worthy  of  note  transpired  during  our  stay. 
The  corn  was  all  discharged  while  in  quarantine ;  and 
after  a  tedious  delay  of  thirty  days,  the  ship  was  per- 
mitted to  go  up  to  Lisbon,  where  we  remained  ten  days, 
and  took  in  a  cargo  of  wines  and  salt. 

November  17.  —  We  took  advantage  of  the  tide,  and, 

|the  wind  being  fair,  got  under  way,  made  sail,  and  stood 

own  the  river.     At  2  P.  M.,  discharged  the  pilot,  stowed 

he  anchors,  unbent  the  cables,  coiled  them  down  below, 

d  executed  such  other  work  as  is  usual   when  ves- 

"vr^caTeened  asBels  leave  port.     At  sunset,  the  rock  of  Lisbon  bore  east- 

'  A  no  reason  toliorth-east,   distant    ten  leagues  ;  and,  as  the   dusk   of 

f  treatment  andlveuing  closed  in,  the  only  visible  appearance    was  a 

been  stated  atlDng  dark-blue   line    upon    the   surface   of  the    ocean, 

®     the  contratyBretching   north  and   south  as   far  as  the   extent   of 


neridian  did 

moderated; 

erous,  as  the 

my  thing  in 
imp-well.    A 
were  hoisted 
ha  sack,  by  a 
as  filled  with 
I  so  on  in  this  l 
veil;   but  the 
eak  was  soon 
ation  of  seven 
e  pumps  were 
as  pumped  out, 
f  water  during 


(rard  bulk-head; 
he  next  morn- 
iently,  so  as 
steady. 


to 
The 


practicable,  and| 
lived  were  novr 

hich  had  been 
Ifted,  it  gave  the 

_so  that,  when 


-like|ision.  I  determined  to  make  the  southern  passage, 
lieving  it  could  be  effected  in  less  time,  and  at  much 
avedlss  risk  in  the  wear  and  tear  of  the  ship,  and  also 
"*"  ^t  of  BelhaAuch  more  to  the  comfort  of  the  passengers  and  crew, 
r?  ct  to  quaraiijccordingly,  we  kept  away  to  tfie  southward,  to  reach  as 
'^\hat  number,  oliickly  as  possible  the  limits  of  the  north-east  trade 
■      27* 


lin  a  seaman 
ability  and  exe 
Ihave  been  si 


H 


,  I 


\ 


298 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


I     I 


ivincls.     The  moon  this  night  rose  with  unusual  bril- 
liancy, and  occasionally  might  be  seen  a  bright  star  or 
planet  in  the  azure  vault  above ;    the  wind  was  fair, 
the  sea  smooth,  and  the  ship  was  running  along  at  the 
rate  of  eight  knots,  with  studding-sails  set  below  and 
aluft.     It  reminded  me  of  one  of  those  beautiful  nights 
in  the  Pacific  Ocean,   described  in  the  foi'egoing  part 
of  this  work,  when  I  was  before  the  mast,  and  when, 
too,  my  old  messmate,  Jack  Sawjrer,  and  myself,  spun 
out  many  long  yarns  in  the  foretop.     Nearly  ten  years 
had  rolled  away  since   that  period;   but  the  exciting 
scenes,  and  the  many  happy  hours,  of  that  voyage,  will 
long  live  in  my  memory.     How  different  was  now  my 
situation !     I  had  passed  through  the  various  gradations 
of  a  sea  life,  and  was  now  the  commander  of  a  fine 
ship ;  and  yet  it  would  be  difficult  to  say  which  wasi 
the  happier  period  of  my  life.     Now  yon  moon  shone 
as  resplendently,  yet  the  sight  did  not   produce  thostj 
exquisite  feelings  of  pleasure  and  gratification  that 
had  done  on  my  first  voyage,  when  a  boy.     The  ship! 
too,  was  now  bounding   over  the  trackless  deep  likfl 
some  creature  possessed  of  life  and  animation,  present 
ing  one   of  the  most  magnificent  sights  in  creation! 
and  yet  even  this  had  lost  much  of  its  interest ;  am 
although  being  homeward  bound,  which  to  a  sailor  ii 
always  a  source  of  pleasure,  song,  and  merriment,  yet 
me  it  was  measurably  lost,  because   of  tlie  importani 
trust  and  accumulated  responsibility  with  which  I  wi 
now  surrounded. 

Although  that  buoyancy  of  spirit  consequent  upoi 
youthful  ambition  had  passed  away,  yet  the  more  vStaii 
and  energetic  firmness  of  capability  had  taken  its  placOj 
and  I  felt  a  degree  of  pride  in  the  reflection  that  it  was 
and  notwithstanding  the  deep  responsibility  with  which 
was  invested,  that  it  should  even  produce  greater  anxiel 
in  regard  to  the  duties  which  fell  to  my  lot ;  another  ai 
greater  source  of  happiness  was,  that  steady  enterprMf  be'j 
and  perseverance  would  one  day  place  me  in  a  coiMq  pj 
tion  to  be  enabled  to  relinquish  the  hardships  of  a  s^oiste 


We 
[ind 

0\l 

7 

V( 

ale 

iOtf 

[We 
|)fok 

Of 
^ate 
ale 

trvl 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


299 


I  unusual  bril- 
,  bright  star  or 
wind  was  fair, 
ne  along  at  the 
set  below  and 
beautiful  nights] 
.  foregoing  part  I 
mast,  and  when 

,nd  myself,  spun 
Nearly  ten  years 


life,  and  enjoy  all  those  social  and  domestic  comforts 
which  are  only  to  be  found  in  the  endearments  of  home 
and  society. 

November  23.  —  Saw  the  Island  of  Madeira ;  and  as 

we  ranged  up  towards  the  centre  of  it,  the  wind  being 

oflF  shore,  we  enjoyed  the  balmy  odors  of  its  fragrant 

trees  and  flowers,  which  were  sent  off  by  the  sweeping 

land   breeze.     The   weather  was  unusually   fine,   the 

wind  fair,  the  sea  smooth;  which,  together  with  the 

delicious  odors  from  the  land,  conspired  to  make  up  one 

the*  exciting B  of  those  delightful  days  at  sea,  tending  to  produce  a 

vl  t  voyage,  wiwB  kind  of  forgetfulness  of  its  perils  and  its  hardships. 

»  t  -was  now  myBAt  sunset,  the  island  bore  north-east   twelve   leagues 

*  rioas  gradationsB  distant,  from  which  we  took  our  departure,  and  soon 

^^ander  of  a  fineB  reached  the  parallel  of  26°  north.     As  we  experienced 

sav  which  wasBa  fine  north-east  trade  wind,  I  chose  this  latitude  to 

^  on  moon  shoneBrun  down  the  westing.     Nothing  worthy  of  note  or 

t  produce  thoaB comment  transpired  to  intercept  the  monotony   which 

!^^t "fication  that  iBis  usual  on  shipboard  when  a  long  series  of  fair  winds 

aVoy-     'The  shiJprevails. 

kless  deep  li^W  December  19.  —  Being  in  the  longitude  of  66°  west, 
^  mation  presenlBwe  hauled  to  the  northward,  and  soon  perceived  strong 
^  hu  in  creationBindications  of  change  in  the  climate.  The  weather 
^^°.^  "*^jjterest ;  anfcow  became  squally,  with  frequent  gales.  On  the 
hch  to  a  sailor  iiB27th,  <5rossed  the  Stream,  and,  as  the  wind  blew  a 
erriment,  yettiBsevere  gale  from  the  north-east,  the  ship  was  hove  to  on 
f  ti»e  impovtanBihe  starboard  tack,  when  she  was  judged  to  be  inside 
I  'th  which  1  ^mP^  the  Gulf.  This  was  a  fortunate  circumstance,  as  the 
^ale  blew  with  incredible  fury  for  twenty-four  hours, 
I  consequent  upowo  that  the  ship  was  driven  by  its  violence  to  within 
t  the  more  staiBwelve  miles  of  Cape  Hatteras  shoals,  when  the  gale 
^l  taken  its  placeBroke. 

[^  .      ^^^at  it  wassB  On  the  30th  of  December,  being  in  ten  fathoms  of 

L  i-^y.  -^ith  wbicbBrater,  off  Cape  Charles,  the  wind  again  blew  a  heavy 

I     e  greater  anxietBale  from  the  north-east,  and  no  alternative  was  left  but 

V  lot  •  another  atBo  try  to  run  the  ship  into  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  at  the  risk 

I  t  steady  enterpriBf  being  driven  on  a  lee  shore,  and  losing  the  vessel  ;  for 

e  me  in  a  conBo  pilot  had  come  on  board,  although  lights  had  been 

hardships  of  a  s^oisted,  and  guns  fired,  during  the  whole  of  the  pre- 


300 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


ceding  night,  to  attract  their  notice.    The  position  of  the 
ship  was  now  critical.     It  blew  a  hard  gale,  the  rain 
fell  in  torrents,  and  nothing  could  be  seen  ten  yards 
from  the  deck;  and,  to  add  to  this  perilous  situation,  we 
had  only  nine  fathoms  of  water.     Just  at  this  moment, 
Providence  favored  us ;  the  rain  ceased,  the  mist  broke 
away,  and  we  caught  a  glimpse  of  Smith's  Island.     It 
was,  indeed,  but  a  glimpse,  for  it  immediately  shut  iii 
thick  again ;  but  it  was  enough  for  our  purpose.     Close- 
reefed  topsails  were  put  on  the  ship,  and  I  shaped  a 
course,  from  the  bearings  of  the  island,  to  cross  the  tail 
of  the  middle  ground  in  five  fathoms  of  water.     Here,  i 
again,  I  experienced  the  great  benefit  arising  from  kind 
treatment  to  a  ship's  crew.     This  was  an  hour  that  re- 
quired all  the  firmness,  seamanship,  and  activity,  a  crewj 
could  muster  to  their  aid,  and,  I  can  safely  say,  with  i 
ours   there  was  no  flinching;    for  every  man   did  his 
duty  with  alacrity,  and  in  a  seaman-like  manner.     In 
about  thirty  minutes,  I  found  all  was  right ;  the  sound- 
ings indicated  our  approach  to  the  middle  ground,  andj 
presently  we  struck  bottom  in  five  fathoms,  as  contem- 
plated by  the  bearings  of  the  island.     In  a  short  time,. 
the  heavy  mist  which  had  obscured  the  view  from  allj 
surrounding   objects   cleared    away,   and   Cape    Heiiryj 
lighthouse  was  seen  directly  ahead ;  still  no  pilot-boatf 
was  visible,  and,  as  it  continued  to  blow  hard,  of  coursel 
the  greatest  anxiety  prevailed  throughout  the  ship.    lal 
this  critical  juncture,  I  determined  to  hazard  the  riskl 
of  running  her  into  Hampton  Roads;  fortunately,  how-j 
ever,  when  the  regular  soundings  on  the  Horse-shoe  were! 
obtained,  a  pilot-boat  was  discovered  coming  down  thej 
bay.     In  a  few  minutes,  to  our  great  relief,  we  receiv 
a   pilot  on   board,   ran  the  siiip  inio  the   Roads,  andl 
anchored.     The  next  morning,  at  daylight,  got  uude 
way,  and  stood  up  the  bay  with  a  fine  breeze  from  th«| 
southward ;  and,  on  the  4th  of  January,  1819,  ^"^hore 
in  the  harbor  of  Baltimore,  making  the  passage  in  fortyMi^  °a 
eight  days  from  Lisbon.  mJ^J^ 

lie  ti 


the 
ratii 

joyt 

her 

The 

ffrorn 

|obje< 

and 

I  the 


\ 


-}-'■■■' 


301 


\i)n 


osition  of  the 
rule,  the  vain 
en  ten  yards 
situation,  we 
this  moment, 
he  mist  broke 
I's  Island.  It 
lately  shut  lu 
irpose.  Olose- 
id  1  shaped  a 
to  cross  the  tail 
water.  Here, 
from  kind  1 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


VOYAGE  TO  BATAVIA BURIAL  AT  SEA. 


ismg 

rt  hour  that  re 


The  strong  and  powerful  feelings  consequent  upon 
the  meeting  of  near  and  very  dear  friends,  after  a  sepa- 
ration of  nearly  four  months,  being  over,  I  not  only  en- 
activity,  a  ^"^^^B  joyed  the  quiet  repose  of  home,  but  also  the  society  of 
safely  say,  witn  ■  ^^^  ^^^  ^^  j^^^  ^y^e  companion  of  my  life  and  fortunes. 
ry  man  did  "'s  ■  rpj^Q^^gj^  j^uch  separation  would,  of  course,  be  our  lot, 
Ue  manner.  tuBfp^pjj  ^jjg  nature  of  my  avocation,  yet  there  was  now  an 
ight ;  the  sound- HQijjggt  j^^  whom  I  could  repose  with  perfect  confidence, 
Jdle  ground,  andBj^j^^  j^jg^  unite  in  those  sympathetic  feelings  so  dear  to 
as  coMtem-|jhg  human  heart. 


loms 
In  a  short  tune, 
from  all 
Henry 


e  view 

lud   Cape 

till  no  pil«'-bo^ 

hard,  of  course 

ut  the  ship,    in 

hazard  the  nski 

brtunately,  hov 

Horse-shoe  wete| 


Never,  during  the  whole  period  of  my  life,  did  time 
[pass  so  happily,  and  I  may  say  so  rationally,  as  on  the 
[present  respite  from  the  toils  upon  the  ocean.  No  cloud 
presented  its  dark  shadovr,  no  sorrow  gave  a  shade  of 
^loom,  and  no  blighting  disease  laid  its  withering  spell 
on  our  cheerful  hearth-side,  to  mar  the  bliss  of  social  in- 
liercGurse  and  mutual  love.  These  were  halcyon  days 
swiftly  passing  on  the  wheels  of  time,  destined  shortly, 
iiowever,  to  be  interrupted.     It  was  about  this  period 


coming  down  tWBjjj^j  j  assumed  the  command  of  the  ship  Edward,  be- 


elief,  we  re 


ceived 


longing  to  the  same  owners. 


I  the   Roads,  af^  ■  Two  months  and  a  half  having  gone  by  almost  im- 
Lylight,  got  ""TJerceptibly,  the  ship  to  which  I  had  been  transferred 
breeze  fvom  ^nmas  once  more  completely  fitted  out  for  an  East  India 
ly,  1819,  a'^^^^'^Joyage.     The  duties  of  supercargo  being  committed  to 
passage  in  io^  JBiy  charge,  created  an  amount  of  responsibility  which 
never  had  before  fallen  to  my  lot,  and  the  importance  of 
pe  trust  was  a  source  of  considerable  anxiety  to  m«. 


302 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


I  J'- 


t 


Here,  too,  was  a  voyage  before  me  of  not  less  than  one 
year,  subject  not  only  to  the  perils  of  the  sea,  but  also  to 
tlie  pestilences  of  the  torrid  zone ;  for  it  must  be  known 
that  I  was  once  more  bound  to  Batavia. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  specie,  amounting  to  one  hun- 
dred and   forty  thousand  dollars,  was  taken  on  board; 
and,  every  thing  being  in  complete  readiness,  I  bade 
adieu  to  my  companion  and   friends,  and    oi'ce   more 
found  my   way   to  the  quarter  deck  of  a  gallant  ship. 
The  wind  being  fair,  in  a  few  minutes  the  well-known 
song  at  the  windlass  was  heard,  and  then   the   hoarse 
voice  of  the  first  officer  calling  out,  "  The  anchor  is  short 
apeak,  sir ;  lay  aloft  fore  and  aft,  and  loose  the  topsails 
and    top-gallant   sails."      These   orders    were    quickly 
obeyed.     The  sails  were  sheeted  home,  and  hoisted  lo 
the  mast-head,  and  the  yards  were  braced  so  as  to  cant 
the  ship's  head  to  starboard.    And  again  the  long-drawn 
song  was  heard  at  the  windlass,  the  anchor  was  rapidly 
hove  up  to  the  bows,  and  in  a  few  minutes  our  gallant 
ship  was  standing  down  the  river  under  a  press  of  can* 
vass.      It  was  one  of  those  peculiarly  bland  days  whi-.h 
frequently  mark  the  premature  advance  of  spring,  b'j; 
which,  at  the  same  time,  are  the  precursors  of  a  coming 
storm.    The  day  was  clear,  and  the  gentle  south-western 
breeze  brought  with  it  the  mildness  of  latter  spring; 
these,  together  with  the  genial  warmth  of  the  sun,  pro- 
duced an  unusual  degree  of  heat  for  this  period  of  the 
season  ;  nor  was  the  foliage  and  verdure  unmindful  of 
this  premature  warmth,  for  on  either  side  of  the  river 
might  be  seen  the  springing  bud,  of  various  hues,  swelliiigL 
out ;  and  grassy  plains  spreading  forth  their  delightfim''™^^ 
green,  —  on  all  of  which  the  eye  might  rest  unweariedK^'"  ^ 
with   pleasure.     These  sights   along  the  river's  baiiksB''"^" 
afforded  to  the  mind  a  relief  which  tended  to  dissipate  aBy^P*! 
part  of  the  gloom  induced  by  the  certainty  of  a  year'sW^^^^ 
absence.      And   yet    this  was  but  a   transient   respite. 
Every  passing  object  —  the  numerous  craft,  and  joll; 
boatmen,  with  light  hearts  and  cheerful  song,  plying  gaylJJI!^ ' 
towards  a  much-cherished  home,  from  which  we  wei 


I 

s 

F 
n 

n 

bi 

m 

w 

ur 

sai 

W£ 

wa 

ye\ 

( 

froi 

shii 

reef 

this 

9P 

can* 

A 

One 

mail 

shou 

bnu'j 

great 

healt 

meiK 


hicF 
II  ne 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


303 


less  than  one 
ea,  but  also  to 
lUSt  be  known 

[ig  to  one  hun- 
ken  on  board ; 
diness,  1  bade 
nd   opce   more 
a  gallant  ship, 
he  well-known 
len  the  hoarse 
e  anchor  is  short 
.,ose  the  topsails 
were    quickly 
!,  and  hoisted  to 
c'ed  so  as  to  cant 
1  the  long-drawn 
chor  was  rapidly 
uutes  our  gallant 
»r  a  press  of  can- 
,land  days  whf 
56  of  spring,  b« 
sors  of  a  coming 
[tie  south-western 
of  latter  spring; 
.  of  the  sun,  pro- 
[his  period  of  the 
ue  unmindful  ot 
'side  of  the  rivei 
,us  hues,  swelling 
their  delightM 
it  rest  unwearied 
ihe  river's  baiiksl 
ided  to  dissipate  a 
tainty  of  a  yeari 
transient  respite. 
1  craft,  and  jol] 
iong,  plyi»g  S^^l! 
which  we  wef 


now  fast  receding— ^called  up  more  strongly  the  pangs 
of  separation.  Nought  could  now  be  seen,  by  keen 
affection's  glance,  of  that  home  which,  but  three  hours 
ago,  we  left,  exctpt  a  dark-blue  spot ;  and  even  that, 
perhaps,  was  but  a  fantasy  of  a  highly-wrought  imagi- 
nation. On  coursed  the  gallant  bark,  nor  heeded  sighs, 
nor  tears,  nor  sentimental  pangs,  as  the  increasing 
breeze  swelled  the  white  canvass,  and  impelled  her 
more  rapidly  down  the  Chesapeake  Bay.  Blow  on,  ye 
winds !  nor  slacken  your  force,  nor  alter  your  course, 
until  half  this  round  world  is  circled,  and  our  bark  is 
safely  moored  off  Java's  spicy  isle.  In  thirty  hours, 
we  reached  Cape  Henry,  and,  although  the  weather 
was  thiok  and  threatening,  with  light  northerly  winds, 
yet  the  pilot  was  discharged,  and  we  stood  to  sea. 

On  tha  22d.of  March,  at  sunset,  heavy  clouds  rose  up 
from  the  north-west,  and  gave  strong  indications  of  a 
shift  of  wind.  Every  sail  was  furled  except  the  close- 
reefed  fore-topsail.  It  was  fortunate  for  us  that  we  took 
this  precaution,  as  the  heavy  north-wester  struck  us  at 
9  P.  M.,  and  blew  with  great  violence  for  thirty-six  hours, 
carrying  us  to  the  eastward  of  the  Gulf  Stream. 

March  25.  —  This  was  a  black  day  in  our  calendar. 
One  of  the  young  seamen,  while  in  the  act  of  loosing  the 
main-top-gallantsail,  fell  on  the  main  deck,  dislocated  his 
shoulder,  cut  his  head  and  mouth,  and  was  so  much 
bruised,  that  he  did  not  speak  for  eleven  days  ;  but,  by 
great  care  and  attention,  in  three  weeks  his  bodily 
health  was  perfectly  restored.  This  was  but  the  com- 
mencement of  our  troubles  on  this  voyage.  My  first 
officer,  although  a  good  sailor,  was  a  man  of  no  charac- 
ter whatever ;  therefore  he  could  neither  be  made  a  con- 
fidant nor  companion.  The  second  officer,  although  a 
lyoung  man  of  good  education,  was  neither  sailor  nor 
fficer ;  consequently  was  unfit  for  the  berth.  The  crew, 
hich  consisted  of  six  able  seamen  and  four  apprentices, 
ill  nearly  equal  to  able-bodied  men,  were  very  refrac- 
ory ;  two  of  them  having  been  old  man-of-war's  men. 
"'he  cook  and  steward  were  both  good  colored  men. 


304 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


Kji. 


■vii 


or  course,  it  maybe  supposed  that,  with  a  crew  and  offi- 
cers of  the  above  description,  it  required  no  little  firm- 
ness and  decision  of  purpose  to  establish  and  maintain 
a  good  state  of  discipline ;  and,  indeed,  this  was  not 
thoroughly  accomplished   until    the    homeward-bound 
passage ;  it  was  then  effected  through  the  agency  of 
sickness  and  death,  as  will  be  hereafter  stated.   Although 
every  privilege  was  allowed,  consistent  with  the  duties 
of  the  ship ;  and  although  every  care  was  taken  with  re- 
gard to  their  food  and  diet,  as  well  as  to  the  comfort  and 
cleanliness  of  the  forecastle ;  and  further,  no  man  was 
allowed  to  be  called  out  of  his  name  —  yet,  notwithstand- 
ing all  these  regulations  and  care  to  their  welfare)  there 
were  some  of  the  sailors  who  never  manifested  any  thing 
else  but  the  basest  ingratitude.     After  this,  the  ship  was 
exceedingly  laborsome,  steered   badly,  and  scarcely  a 
day  passed,  in  heavy  weather,  that  a  spar,  or  some  of  the 
rigging,  was  not  carried  away.     After  a  passage  of  one 
hundred  and  four  days,  we  arrived  in  Batavia,  and  an- 
chored in  the  roads.     Here  were  a  number  of  American 
as  well  as  other  vessels,  waiting  for  cargoes.    A«  soon  as 
the  necessary  precautions  were  taken,  such  as  getting] 
awnings  fore  and  aft  the  ship,  sending  down  the  yards, 
masts,  rigging,  6&c.,  so  as  to  screen  the  sailors  from  the  I 
heat  of  the  sun  while  at  work,  I  repaired  to  the  shore, 
and  procured  a  crew  of  Malays  to  man  the  boat  — a  pro- 
ceeding always  necessary  •  for  the  preservation  of  the 
health  of  the  ship's  crew  in  Batavia.     It  is  customary 
for  masters  and  supercargoes  to  take  up  their  residences! 
about  three  miles  in  the  country  ;  this  is  done  for  thel 
preservation  of  health,  and  is  attended  with  but  little 
extra  expense,  for  every  person  doing  business  is  neces-j 
sarily  obliged,  from  the  Intense  heat,  to  have  a  carriagej 
always  at  his  command.  ./  •  ;   } 

From  the  captain  of  a  Newburyport  ship,  I  learned] 
that  Mr.  P.,  my  mate,  had  sailed  with  him  on  the 
voyage,  and  that  he  had  been  detected  in  embezzlingl 
the  cargo,  as  well  as  guilty  of  forgery.   It  was  necessaryj 
therefore,  as  there  was  no  alternative  but  to  keep  hii 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEANw 


301 


crew  and  offi- 
110  little  firm- 
and  maintain 
this  was  now 
meward-bound 
he  agency  of 
ted.   Although 
nth  the  duties 
,  taken  with  re- 
he  comfort  and 
r,  no  man  was 
t',  notwithstand- 
ir  welfares  there 
fested  any  thing 
lis,  the  ship  was 
and  scarcely  a 
r  or  some  of  the 
a  passage  of  one 


to  use  great  precaution,  and  keep  a  good  look-out  upoii 
his  conduct.  Consequetitly,  1  took  a  memorandum  of 
all  my  provisions,  stores,  &c.,  and  obliged  him  to  ren- 
der a  strict  account  of  all  the  expenditures,  and  when- 
ever the  least  particle  of  any  portion  of  the  cargo,  was 
sent  off,  a  receipt  for  the  same  was  always  required.  In 
this  way,  I  managed  to  keep  him  tolerably  honest.  We 
lay  here  nearly  two  months  and  a  half.  The  crew,  with 
the  exception  of  one  man,  who  was  placed  in  the  hospi- 
tal, were  kept  in  good  health.  I  had  completed  the  pur- 
chases and  shipping  of  the  car^o,  and  the  ship  was  now 
ready  to  proceed  on  her  homjward-bound  passage ;  but 
as  the  seaman  who  had  been  sent  to  the  hospital  was 
considered  dangerously  ill,  another  was  shipped  in  his 
place.  ^ 

On  the  23d  of  September,  1819,  we  got  under  way 
from  Batavia  Roads^  and  stood  down  the  Straits  of  Sunda. 
In  passing  Aiijer  Roads,  we  were  boarded  by  a  boat 
Batavia,  and  an- ■  tieionging   to  the  United   States  frigate  Constellation, 
iber  of  American  ■  xvhich  lay  to  an  emchor  in  the  roads.     From  her  we 
oes.    As  soon  as  ■  received  despatches,  as  well  as  many  hearty  good  wishes 
such  as  getting  ■  for  our  safe  and  speedy  passage.     The  weather  now  be- 
down  the  yards,  ■^ame  very  squally,  and  we  did  not  swcceed  in    ,etting 
le  sailors  from  thcBjjigar  of  the  straits  until  the  28th ;  and  thus  our  troubles 
red  to  the  shore,  Bjig^i  ^ot  only  commenced,  but  from  this  time  they  began 
the  boat — apio-Bton:,ultiply  upon  us.     We  had  no  sooner  succeeded  in 
servation  of  theBgjijjj,jg  a,n  offing  from  the  straits,  than  four  of  the  best 
It  is  customary ■jgamen  were  taken  down  with  fever  and  dysentery, 
p  their  residences BYhe  remainder  of  the  crew  were  otherwise  much  debil- 
is  done  for  tneHjjg^jgjj  j^^j^j  weakened,  from  the  excessive  heat  always  pe- 
i  with  but  lit"*Bculiar  to  these  climes.     Day  after  day  rolled  away  with- 
business  is  neces-B^^j  g^^jy  material  alteration,  except  that  one  and  another 
have  a  carriageB^g^g  alternately  struck   down  with  disease.     We  had 
■succeeded  in  reaching  the  length  of  the  east  end  of 
t  ship,  I  learnedBjjj^^j^g^gjjj^j.^  when  our  condition,  as  regarded  the  health 
him  on  the  las'lnd  strength  of  the  crew,  was  truly  deplorable ;  they 
led  in  embezzlinjivere  all  completely  overcome,  and  I  shall  not  forget  a 
It  was  necessary,l^g(jg  which  took  place  on  a  beautiful  moonlight  night, 
but  to  keep  ^^'''mout  this  period.     The  ship  was  running  along  at  the 

28 


306 


Lire    ON    fHE    OCEAN. 


2 


i( 


rate  of  seven  knots,  with  studding-sails  set  below  and 
aloft ;  nought  was  to  be  seen  save  a  brilliant  moon  per- 
forming slowly  and  silently  her  majestic  rounds,  with 
here  and  there  a  bright  star  or  planet,  which  seemed  to 
vie  with  each  other  in  sparkling  refulgence,  and  the 
blue  sky,  which  appeared  to  meet  and  kiss  the  fathom- 
less waters ;  not  a  sound  was  heard  except  the  dashing 
foam  on  the  ship's  bows,  as  she  bounded  o'er  the  wave, 
or  the  low  tones  of  the  debilitated  seamen  on  the  fore- 
castle, recounting   some  ghostly  tale  or  bewailing  the 
condition  of  their  sick  shipmates.     It  was  a  moment 
when  every  other   thought  and  reflection  was  hushed 
and  absorbed  in   the    sublimity   and    grandeur  of  the 
whole  scene.     Looking  upward  and  around,  I  neither 
saw,  felt,  nor  contemplated,  any  thing  but  the  power  and 
immensity  of  God.     A  solemn  stillness  pervaded  the 
ship,  interrupted  only,  at  intervals,  by  the  low  groans  of 
the  sick  and  dying  ;  for  the  life  of  poor  Jack  Brown  — 
and  a  better  or  truer   sailor  never   handled  a  marlin- 
spike  —  was  fast  ebbing  away.     I  had  exerted  all  my 
skill  in  the  administering  of  remedies,  and  every  possi 
ble  care  was  taken  of  him,  as  well  as  the  others;  but  hi! 
strength  had  sunk  under  a  violent  dysentery.     At  eight 
P.  M.,  I  repaired  to  the  forecastle  as  usual,  to  bestowl 
some  little  kindnesses  and  nourishment  to  the  sick,   ll 
found  poor  Jack  with  his  face  towards  the  side  of  t\v\ 
ship,  breathing  hard. 

"  How  do  you  do  now.  Jack  ? "  said  I.  With  grei 
difficulty,  and  with  my  assistance,  he  turned  his  fac< 
toward  me,  and,  after  the  fatigue  occasioned  by  this  ex 
ertion,  he  said,  in  a  low,  hollow  voice,  — 

*'  Captain,  I  am  a  dying  man  ; "  and  after  anothi 
strong  effort,  he  continued  —  "  1  have  a  mother  nowlivj 
ing  in  England,  God  bless  her !  I  have  been  a  sad  fel 
low,  sir;  —  she  taught  me  to  read  the  Bible,  and  say  m] 
prayers,  and  gave  me  much  good  advice ;  and  she  ofti 
would  say  to  me,  'Don't  forget  the  advice  of  her  whi^e  Jau 
never  forgets  to  pray  for  you.*"  ■on  roj 

Here  the  big  tears  chased  each  other  in  rapid  succcfl^er  th 
lion  from  the  dying  eyes  of  poor  Jack.  ^. , 


SC 

su 
in( 

hai 

ma 

:nu 

and 

hav 

was 

pau! 

becJ 

to  h 

be  p 

look 

quasi 

in  th 

gazed 

loved 

and  ; 

vas  i 

every 

made 

myea 

mothe 

b6ll  to 

took  it 

Th€ 

ilors 
ipirit,  ( 
jhipma 
ressei 

Wed 

Jose  h 

roiid 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


3or 


t  below  and 
It  moon  per- 
rounds,  with 
ch  seemed  to 
nee,  and  the 
s  the  fathom- 
t  th*^  dashing 
j'er  the  wave, 
1  ou  the  fore- 
bewailing  the 
ras  a  moment 
was  hushed 


n 


andeur 


of  the  I 


"O  my  mother!"  exclaimed  he;  "could  thy  dying 
son  live  but  to  make  amends  for  all  the  pain  and 
suffering  he  has  given  thee !  O,  could  I  but  receive  a 
mother's  blessing  before  I  die  ! " 

Nature  at  this  moment  gave  way,  and  he  sank  ex- 
hausted on  the  pillow,  under  the  great  effort  he  had 
made.     The  scene  was  too  much  for  me  ;  I  found  the 
muscles  of  my  face,  and  especially  my  eyes,  relaxing, 
and  involuntarily  turning  away  from  the  berth,  would 
have  given  him  some  spiritual  consolation,  but,  alas,  I 
was  not  at  that   period  competent  to  do  so.     After  a 
pause   of  a  few  minutes,   he  recovered  himself,   and 
beckoned  me  again  to  his  side.     Putting  my  ear  near 
und    I  neither  1  to  his  mouth,  he  begged,  in  a  low,  tremulous  tone,  to 
the  power  and!  be  placed  underneath  the  forescuttle,  so  that  he  might 
pervaded  the!  look  upon  the  blue  sky,  and  behold  the  stars ;  the  re- 
^  low  groans  of  ■  quest  was  immediately  granted  him,  and  he  was  placed 
Brown— I  iu  the  chosen  position,  and  for  two  hours  steadfastly 
gazed  on  the  heavens,  occasionally  repeating  the  be- 
loved»  name  of  mother.     At  11  P.  M.,  his  sight  failed, 
aad  nature  was  wearing  away  apace ;   the  dim   light 
was  flickering  in  the  socket,  in  readiness  to  expire  at 
every  moment.     A  few  minutes  before  12  o'clock,  he 
made  a  slight  movement,  as  if  to  speak.     I  again  placed 
my  ear  near  to  his  mouth  :  he  murmured  out,  "  O  my 
mother!  "     These  were  his  last  words;  for,  just  as  the 
b^ll  tolled  the  hour  of  midnight,  the  spirit  of  poor  Jack 
took  its  everlasting  flight. 
Then  you   might  have  seen   a  gathering  group  of 
iilors  around  his  cold  remains,  subdued  and  broken  in 
pirit,  eager  to  perform  the  last  sad  oflices  to  a  departed 
m^A     fter  anoth«B'^'P'^^te.      Poor  Jack!  he   was   washed,   shaved,  and 
^her  now  livBfessed  in  his  best  suit ;  and  carefully,  though  strongly, 
been  a  sad  W 


e 

Jack 

ndled  a  marlm- 
1  exerted  ail  my 
tnd  every  possi- 
others;  but  his 

htery.     At  eight 
usual,  to  besto«_ 
to  the  sick.   I 
the  side  of  tlw| 

1.    With  gtea 

turned  his  fac"! 

ioned  by  this  exj 


wed  up  in  his  hammock,  and    neatly  lashed  with 

lose  hitches,  so   as  to  secure   the   body  in  its  naval 

roud  ;  after  which  it  was  taken  on  deck,  and  laid  in 

|he  launch  until  the  time  of  burial.     The  next  day,  the 

jun  rose  into  a  perfectly  clear  and  cloudless  sky,  and 

I   •     ranid  succel^^r  the  broad  expanse  of  waters  nothing  was  to  bQ 


Jible,  and  say  oj 

fce ;  and  she  oW 

Ivice  of  her  wH 


30d 


LIFE    ON   THE   OCEAN. 


':<» 


2 


seen  but  an  unruffled  sea,  and  now  and  then  a  sea- 
gull, or  a  Mother  Carey's  chicken,  skimming  the  swell- 
ing surface  — the  only  proof  that  we  were  not  alone  in 
creation's  expanse.     There  was  an  air  of.  profound  sor- 
row and  melancholy  reigning    throughout    the   ship. 
Here  lay  the  cold  remains  of  poor  Jack;  and  in  the 
forecastle  languished  three  others  so  ill,  that  we  knew 
not  what  hour  they  would  share  the  fate  of  their  de- 
parted shipmate.     It  was  indeed    an  hour  of  sadness, 
when  the  ship  was  hove  to,  to  perform  the  rites  of  bu- 
rial.    All  hands  that  were  able  to  come  on  deck  took 
their  stations  forward  of  the  gangway ;  they  were  all 
tidy,  and  dressed  in  their  best  rig  ;  the  stars  and  stripes 
were  run  up  half-mast ;  the  corpse,  with  a  bag  of  shot 
tied  at  the  foot  of  the  hammock,  was  placed  on  a  board 
at  the  gangway,  after  which,  thirteen  minute  guns  were 
fired,  and  then  commenced  the  reading  of  the  funeral 
service   of  the  Episcopal  Church.     It  was  a  moment 
when  all  the  finer  feelings  of  the  soul  were  brought  into 
play;  the  stout  hearts  and  rigid  muscles  of  men, who 
had  never  flinched,  in  storm  or  battle,  gave  way  in  sym- 
pathetic woe.     There  was  a  moment's  pause  as  I  came 
to  the  period  preceding  the  sentence  —  "  We  commit  his 
body,"  &c.     I  involuntarily  ceased  reading  as  I  heard 
a  deep  groan  from  an  old  sailor.     The  sentence  was 
finished,  a  deep  splash  was  heard,  and  the  body  of  poor 
Jack  sank  beneath  the  blue  wave,  there  to  rest  until  the| 
sea  shall  roll  its  millions  to  the  shore. 

After  this  mournful  ceremony  was  over,  all  sail  was! 


c 
n 

t\ 

S' 

g' 
th 

pi. 

m 

on 

evi 

ano 
nov 
espe 

\QTe\ 
sick 

imp( 

men 
a 

Gooc 


again  made,  and  we  stood  on  our  course,  without  know<liio\vi 
ing,  however,  how  soon   the   same  melancholy  duty] 
would  have  to  be  performed  to  some  other  inmate  ofl 
the  ship. 

The  weather  continued  fine  and  the  wind  fair ;  and 
as  I  was  much  worn  down  with  the  fatigue  of  the  lasU 
few  days,  and  especially  as  I  felt  an  unusual  degree  oil 
sadness,  I  concluded  to  turn  in,  hoping  thereby  to  gef 
my  mind  relieved,  as  well  as  my  body  refreshed.  ThC 
scenes  of  this  day  had  made  a  deep  impression  on  im 


Jassist 

)n  be 
ito 

fnjmec 
loho. 

luarli 
it  Ai 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


309 


and  I  deeply  reflected  upon  the  necessity  of  being  pre- 
pared for  the  solemn  and  awful  event,  to  which  I  had 
been  an  eye-witness.     I  conceived,  also,  that  I  was  not 
only  master  of  a  ship,  but,  being  the  head  of  a  family,  I 
was  called  upon,  at  least,  to  set  an  example  that  should 
be  worthy  of  imitation.     With  these  feelings  I  laid  me 
down  to  rest,  and  soon  fell  into  a  deep  sleep,  from  which 
I  was  roused  by  a  tremendous  noise  and  crash,  as  if  the 
ship  had  run  high  and  dry  upon  ledges  of  rocks.    I  sprang 
on  deck ;  and,  to  my  inconceivable  astonishment,   the 
main-topmast  was  gone  close  by  the  cap,  and  there  was 
the  topsail,  topmast  studding-sail,  top-gallant-sail,  and  top- 
gallant-studding-sail and  royal,  with  yards,  masts,  and  rig- 
ging, all  fallen  forward,  carrying  away  the  light  spars  ia 
their  train,  and  splitting  the  fore-topsail  into  a  hundred 
pieces.     Here,  now,  was  work  for  a  weak  and  debilitated 
crew !  However,  it  was  no  time  for  flinching.   Every  man 
on  board,  that  was  able,  set  to  with  a  will.     Such,  how- 
ever, was  the  enfeebled  condition  of  the  crew,  that  it 
was  six  days  before  we  got  the  wreck  cleared  away,  and 
les"'  "■'.'-'    ^.g  another  topmast  aloft,  and  the  sail  set.     As  we  were 
;ave  way  in  ^^     ■  now  on  Lagullas  Bank,  the  light  spars  were  not  sent  up, 
pause  as  I  c^i    I        ig^U      s   j^e   late  fatigue   had   broken  down  the 
c.^^ecomrnui    i^^r^^^  ^^^^  .^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^p.^.^^      ^^^^^  ^^^  ^ere  now 

ading  as  1  "  |sick  and  off  duty,  and  it  nearly  became  a  matter  of 
ihe  sentence  li^jpossibility  to  work -the  ship.  In  this  sad  predica- 
Ithe  body  o\^F^^^§^^^^j^  ^^^  f^^l  j^  ^^h  a  large   ship,  which  proved  to 

an  English  East  Indiaman,  bound  into  the  Cape  of 

u    ail  waslGood  Hope.     Seeing  our  distressed  condition,  she  bore 

,yer,  aU  ff"      Idown,  and  very  humanely   ofl-ered   to   render   us  any 

'^'  T'^Mv  dul'lassistance  we  might  want.      I  cheerfully  accepted  the 

ImelancW       jB^^     and  said,  if  th  )y  would  put  half  a  dozen  men 

other  mm***      ■     ^^^^^  ^^  ^y.  g^jp^  x  would  endeavor  to  work  her 

•  A  fnir-an»nto  the  Cape  also.  The  men  were  sent  on  board 
pewmd  lair^^w^^^^.^^^  and  in  two  days  we  were  both  safely 
tatigue  ot  in  jW  ^^^^  in  Table  Bay.  Our  sick,  six  m  number, 
bnusual  aegi      r      ^,j   ^^^^^   ^^   gh,,re   and    placed    in    comfortable 

5  ^^uA  Thluarle  s,  under  the  care  of  an  eminent  physician,  but 
refreshea.  w  .^  ^^  ^^.^  opinion  that  the  men  would  not  be  suf- 
ipression  ou    -j- 


I 


310 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


ficiently  recovered  to  go  on  board  in  less  than  six  weeks, 
I  concluded  to  pay  them  off  and  ship  others  in  their 
place,  and  proceed  without  deiay  on  my  voyage.  This 
was  accordingly  done ;  and,  after  filling  up  our  water- 
casks,  and  laying  in  a  good  stock  of  fresh  meat  and 
vegetables,  we  weighed  anchor,  made  all  sail,  and  stood 
to  sea,  with  a  fine  south-east  trade  wind,  on  the  13tli 
of  November.  '  ; 

I  pause  here  in  the  narrative,  to  pay  a  tribute  of 
gratitude  to  Captain  Wells,  of  the  English  East  India 
ship  Warrington.  In  every  respect  he  acted  as  a  gentle- 
man ;  and,  but  for  his  kind  interposition  and  promptness 
in  timely  assisting  me  with  his  men,  it  would  not  have 
been  possible  for  us,  in  our  debilitated  condition,  to  have 
worked  the  ship  into  the  Cape.  And  further,  I  could 
not  press  upon  him  to  accept  anv  remuneration  for  the  j 
great  assistance  he  rendered  to  us.  His  generosity  and 
unaffected  humanity  proved  him  at  once  to  be  a  whole- 
souled  sailor  and  a  gentleman  at  heart;  and  as  suck  I 
I  shall  ever  remember  him  with  gratitude. 

As  usual  at  this  season  of  the  year,  the  south-east! 
trade  winds  blew  fresh  and  steadily  at  one  point,  and! 
nothing  of  great  importance  transpired,  to  interrupt  thej 
usual  sameness  of  a  sea  life,  in  fine  weather  and  a  lonJ 
course  of  fair  winds.     During  the  passage  down  to  tliej 
line,  I  discovered,  for  the  first  time,  a  defect  in  my  sight! 
I  believed,  at  fir&.,  it  was  temporary — owing,  perhaps,  toB^ingj 
some   obscurity  of  light  in  the  cabin ;   this,  howeverj 
proved  not  to  be  the  case.     The  defect  was  real,  attrib-l 
utable  to  the  fact,  that  I  had  measured  the  distances  off 
celestial  objects,  in  order  to  determine  the  longitude,  will] 
an  inverted  telescope.     This  work  being  often  repeated 
of  course  it  was  laborious  to  the  organs  of  vision  ;  this! 
together  with  much  exposure  in  hot  climates,  affecte 
the  optic   nerve.     The  diminution  of  sight,  howeveij 
at  this  period,  was  so  trivial,  that  I  felt  but  little  alarif 
at  ulterior  consequences. 

On  the  18th  of  December,  we  crossed  the  equinoctiij 
line,  in  35°  west  longitude,  and  it  was  with  great 


J 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


311 


1  six  vfeek», 
ers  in  theu 
pge.     This 
)  our  water- 
5h  meat  and 
til,  and  stood 
on  the  13tb 

a  tribute  of 
sh  East  India 
ed  as  a  gentle- 
[id  promptness 
rould  not  have 
edition,  to  have 
•urther,  1  couU 
aeration  for  the 

generosity  and 
,  to  be  a  whole- 

t ;   and  as  sucVi 

i^'^the  south-east 
t  one  point,  and 
tb  interrupt  tlie| 
:ather  and  a  long 
age  down  to  to 
feet  in  my  sigh 
wing,  perhaps,  j 
.   this,  howeve 
t' was  real,  altribj 
I  the  distances  oil 
,e  longitude,  wu 
ng  often  repe^e 

L3  of  vision ;  ws 

climates,  affecte 

f  sight,,  howevei 

,U  but  little  alatt 

ised  the  equiiioclj 
las  with  great 


is 
)f 


that  I  ascertained  as  truth  what  I  had  some  time  conjec- 
tured, viz.,  that  the  sailors  whom  1  had  shipped  at  the 
Cape  were  English  man-of-war's  men,  exceedingly  mu- 
tinous in  their  conduct;  and,wiiat  was  still  worse,  I  found 
that  the  mate  was  partially  leagued  with  them.     It  was, 
however,  fortunate  for  me,  that  I  had  a  passenger  from 
the  Cape,  a  young  Englishman,  stout  and  active,  and  of 
great   muscular  strength.      In  him  I  could   place  the 
utmost  reliance ;  he  promised  to  stand  by  me  in  every 
emergency.     In  consequence  of  the  unofficer-like  con- 
duct of  the  mates,  matters  continued  to  go  on  worse  and 
worse  ;  until,  at  length,  the  disrespect,  and  ignorance  of 
duty,  of  the  second  mate,  authorized  me  to  break  him, 
aiid  confine  him  to  his  state-room.      Thenceforward, 
from  indications  shown  by  the  men,  I  was  every  day  in 
expectation  that  an  open  mutiny  would  break  out.     In 
this  event,  I  could  rely  upon  none  except  my  young 
English  friend,  and  the  cook  and  steward.     Of  course, 
there  would  be  a  fearful  odds  against  us.     I  was  not 
disappointed  in  my  conjecture.     It  seems  that  the  25th 
of  December  (Christmas)  was  the  time  set  apart  by  them 
to  have  a  blow-out,  as  they  called  it,  having  saved  their 
allowance  of  grog,  for  a  number  of  days,  for  this  express 
purpose.     My  usual  custom  was,  to  have  no  work  done 
either  on  the  fourth  of  July,  or  Christmas-day,  but  that 
which  was  actually  necessary  —  such  as  making  or  ta- 
king  in  sail,  bracing  the  yards,  &,c.  ;  so  that  ou  this  day, 
after  the   decks  were    washed   and  the  sails   trimmed, 
the  men  were  given  to  understand  that  all  unnecessary 
work   would    be   dispensed   with.      Every   thing    was 
[quiet  until  the  hour  of  dinner,  at  which  time  the  grog 
Ueiit  round ;  and,  as  a  consequence,  boisterous  mirth  in- 
Icreased  very  soon  to  confusion,  and  the  noise  became 
so  great  that  it  was  necessary  to  put  a  stop  to  it.     About 
llhis  period  the  wind  hauled,  and  I  ordered  the  male  for- 
mrd,  to  turn  the  hands  up  to  trim  the  yards,  set  stud' 
ling-sails,  &c.     He  went,  and  quickly  returned  with  the 
jinswer,  that  they  refused  to  do  their  duty :  I  saw  that 
Ihe  crisis  had  now  arrived.     Arming  myself,  therefore, 


am 


312 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


with  a  brace  of  pistols,  —  the  young  Englishman  doing 
the  same, —  and  giving  the  cook  and  steward  their  orders, 
I  jumped  forward,  and  ordered  the  men  on  deck.     They 
all  rushed  up  in  a  body,  and,  with  oaths  and  impreca- 
tions, swore  they   would  do  no  more  work  until  the 
second  mate  was  put  on  duty.    I  once  more  ordered  them 
to  brace  yards,  and  on  their  refusal  I  fired  a  pistol  over 
their  heads,  when  they  immediately  rushed  to  the  quarter 
deck ;  but  here  they  were  met  by  my  friend,  the  Eng- 
lishman, and  the  cook  and  steward,  with  handspikes. 
I  discharged  my  second  pistol,  which  took  effect  in  the 
fleshy  part  of  the  arm  of  one  of  the  villains,  and  disabled 
him.     My  friend   had   discharged  both   of   his    pistols 
without  effect ;  not  so  his  fists,  for  they  were  better  thao 
any  pistols ;  whenever  a  man  came  within  the  reach  of 
his  arm,  he  was  sure  to  be  knocked  down.     The  cook 
and  steward  played  their  part  well,  so  that  in  about  fif- 
teen minutes  the  mutineers  begged  for ,  quarters ;  and 
thus  we  completely  subdued    the  mutiny  without  the 
aid  of  the  chief  mate,  who,  during  the  whole  of  this  law- 
less riot,  stood  a  silent  and  quiet  spectator  on  the  quarter 
deck,  purposing,  as  I  supposed,  to  join  the  victorious 
party,  whichever  it  might  be.     The  men  now  were  quite 
humbled,  and  returned  to  their  duty  with  submission. 
They  promised,  if  this  affair  was  overlooked,  that,  for  the 
future,  they  would  give  no  occasion  for  a  repetition  of 
the  same   punishment.      In   reply,  I   stated   that   their 
behavior  and  good  conduct  should  govern  me   in   iny 
future  course  towards  them.     During  the  remainder  of 
the  passage  they  conducted  themselves  with  propriety, 
and  although  we  encountered  intense  cold  weather,  and 
many  hard  gales,  yet  every  man  did  his  dnty  cheerfully 
without  murmuring  or  flinching.     On  the  second  day 
of  February,  1820,  we  took  a  Chesapeake  pilot,  and  en- 
tered the  bay  with  a  fine  southerly  wind,  which  carried 
us  up.     On  the  3d,  at  2  P.  M.,  let  go  our  anchor  in  Bal 
timore  harbor,  after  a  most  tedious  and  unpleasant 
sage  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  days. 


may 

ordin 
but 

choos 

inclin 

voulc 

Th 

I  Was 

new  c 

On 

painfu 

heart 


313 


liman  doing 
their  orders, 
eck.     They 
nd  impreca- 
rk  until  the 
ordered  tliem 
a  pistol  over 
to  the  quarter 
nd,  the  Eng- 
1  handspikes, 
effect  in  the 
3,  and  disabled 
)f  his   pistols 
ere  better  than 
1  the  reach  of 
n.     The  cook 
lat  in  about  iif- 
.  quarters;  and 
ly  without  the 
loleof  thislaw- 
r  on  the  quarter 
the  victorious 
now  were  quite 
|ith  submission, 
led,  that,  for  the 
.  a  re]ietilion  of 
ated  that   theii 
ern  me   in  my 
e  remainder  ot 
with  propriety, 
,ld  weather,  and 
duty  cheerfully 
the  second  day 
ke  pilot,  and  en- 
i,  which  earned 
ir  anchor  in  Bal- 
unpleasant  pas« 
lys. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

INDIA   VOYAGE   CONCLUDED V07AGE    TO    NEW    ORLEANS   AND 

LIVERFOOL  —  CONDUCT   OF   CAPTAIN   B.,   &C. 

^  It  may  be  well  said  that  a  sailor's  life  is  a  continued 
scene  of  excitement.  When  the  vessel  which  carries 
him  over  the  trackless  dfiep  leaves  the  land  of  his  birth, 
and  the  objects  of  his  fJiection  and  solicitude,  then  fol- 
low the  pangs  of  separation.  When  homeward  bound, 
there  are  a  thousand  emotions  of  pleasure  springing 
up  in  his  bosom,  which  none  but  a  seaman  can  realize. 
Fair  weather  and  foul,  storms  and  calms,  all  conspire  to 
keep  his  mind  in  an  uninterrupted  state  of  agitation. 
Thus,  when  on  shore,  unless  immersed  in  what  he 
terms  pleasure,  he  is  quickly  satiated,  and  sighs  again 
to  be  rolling  over  his  chosen  element. 

Scarcely  had  the  greetings  of  affection  (after  an  ab- 
sence of  one  year)  subsided,  and  the  usual  and  custom- 
ary salutations  of  friendship  passed  away,  ere  I  was 
again  summoned  to  get  the  ship  in  readiness  to  proceed 
to  Amsterdam,  without  delay,  with  the  same  cargo.  It 
may  be  supposed  that,  after  so  long  an  absence,  it  was  no 
ordinary  trial  so  soon  to  part  with  my  family  and  friends  ; 
but  a  sailor  has  no  command  of  his  time,  neither  can  he 
choose  such  voyages  as  would  be  most  agreeable  to  his 
inclination.  If  this  were  the  case,  one  half  of  his  days 
would  be  spent  on  shore  without  employment. 

The  ninth  day  after  my  arrival  from  the  East  Indies, 
I  was  again  in  complete  readiness  for  sea,  with  an  entire 
new  crew. 

On  the  13th  of  February,  after  exchanging  the  most 
painful  adieus  with  my  family  and  friends,  with  a  heavy 
heart  I  found  myself  on  the  ship's  quarter  deck.     The 


%. 


314 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


4tlA 


.a  i 


topsails  and  topgallant-saiis  being  hoisted  to  the  mast- 
head, the  fasts  were  cast  off,  —  in  a  few  minutes  she  was 
rapidly  sailing  over  the  smooth  water,  down  the  river, 
with  a  fresh  westerly  wind.  In  two  days  from  this 
period,  we  were  clear  of  the  land,  scudding  away  to  the 
eastward,  with  a  heavy  north-west  gale.  It  may  be  suf- 
ficient to  say,  in  regard  to  this  passage,  that  we  had  an 
uninterrupted  continuation  of  gales,  high  seas,  and  heavy, 
boisterous  weather;  our  decks  were  swept,  the  long- 
boat was  stove,  many  of  the  sails  were  split  to  pieces, 
the  fore-topmast  and  fore-yard  were  sprung,  and  the 
jib-boom  carried  away  close  to  the  cap.  Such  was  the 
extre.Tie  state  of  the  weather,  it  being  intensely  cold 
withal,  that  we  had  to  subsist  on  raw  provisions  for 
many  days  :  the  sea  making  almost  a  continual  breach 
over  us,  it  was  impossible  to  cook,  or  keep  a  fire  in  the 
caboose.  In  twenty-five  days,  to  our  great  satisfaction, 
we  got  soundings  in  the  chops  of  the  English  Channel, 
at  which  time  the  weather  moderated ;  and  in  twenty- 
six  hours  we  took  a  North  Sea  pilot,  off  Dover.  The 
wind  continuing  fair,  we  passed  the  Goodwin  Sands, 
and  in  four  days  were  safely  moored  alongside  the  Hel- 
der,  in  the  port  of  Amsterdam.  After  the  usual  forms  of 
entry,  &.C.,  were  made,  we  commenced  to  discharge  our 
cargo  forthwith  which  was  ail  completed,  and  the  ship 
ballasted  and  ready  for  sea,  in  sixteen  days. 

On  the  11th  of  April,  got  under  way  from  the  Texel 
Roads,  (having  lain  to  an  anchor  wind-bound  for  eight 
days,)  and  stood  to  sea.  We  had  not  proceeded  far  I 
down  the  North  Sea  before  the  wind  hauled  round  to 
the  westward,  bringing  fresh  gales  and  rain,  which 
lasted  eight  days ;  after  which  the  wind  veered  to  the| 
eastward,  and  gave  us  a  fine  run  down  the  Channel. 

On  the  22d  of  April,  at  meridian,  a  departure  was! 
taken  from  the  Scilly  Isles,  and  at  sunset  they  had  quite| 
disappeared,  and  once  more  we  were  upon  the  broad  ex- 
panse of  waters,  bounding  over  the  blue  ocean  towards! 
our  much-loved  home.  My  mind  had  now  becomej 
more  deeply  impressed  than  ever  with  the  nature  of  royj 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


315 


)  the  tnast- 
.itesshe  was 
n  the  river, 
^s  from  this 
away  to  the 
L  may  be  suf- 
at  we  had  an 
IS,  and  heavy, 
pt,  the  long-   i 
Ait  to  pieces, 
ung,  and  the 
Such  was  the 
intensely  cold 
provisions  for 
ntinual  breach 
>p  a  fire  in  the 
aat  satisfaction, 
igUsh  Channel, 
and  in  twenty- 
f  Dover.     ^^^ 
ioodwin  Sands, 
ngside  the  Hel- 
1  usual  forms  of 

o  discharge  out 
d,  and  the  ship 


perilous  occupation,  liable  every  moment  to  be  launched 
into  eternity.  Of  late,  I  iiad  made  a  constant  practice 
of  reading  the  Scriptures ;  and  by  the  light  they  reflected 
upon  my  mind,  I  saw  evidently  that  my  condition  was 
unsafe,  because  I  felt  and  believed  that  I  was  a  sinner, 
and,  as  such,  was  justly  exposed  to  the  wrath  of  Qod. 
Then,  again,  the  vast  amount  of  goodness,  forbearance, 
and  long-suffering,  which  had  been  extended  towards 
rae  by  the  Author  of  my  being,  all  strengthened  the  be- 
lief, that  I  was  the  most  ungrateful  of  men.  These  and 
similar  exercises  brought  a  reneval  of  that  deep  convic- 
tion which  I  had  experienced  oa  a  previous  occasion, 
and  I  resolved,  if  I  was  spared,  to  lead  a  new  life.  These 
resolutions  once  formed,  I  felt  comparatively  easier  in 
mind)  especially  as  I  had  latterly,  and  more  particularly 
on  this  voyage,  endeavored  to  impress  on  the  minds  of 
the  crew  their  moral  responsibility  to  God  and  to  them- 
selves. It  was  a  source  of  much  satisfaction  to  see  the 
men  generally  engaged  on  the  Sabbath  day  in  reading 
the  Scriptures,  tracts,  &.c.  The  general  deportment  of 
the  crew,  on  this  passage,  was  vastly  different  from  that 
of  any  other  set  of  men  with  whom  I  had  been  connect- 
ed during  the  last  fourteen  years ;  and,  without  relaxing 
in  the  least  in  the  discipline  of  the  ship,  the  seamen 
I  uniformly  obeyed  every  command  cheerfully,  and  dis- 
charged their  duty  promptly. 


y®'      ,  ^Texel  I    ^^^  winds  inclining  to  hang  to  the  northward  and 

from  eight  B^^^tw^^^)  I  resolved  again  to  make  the  southern  pas- 

>ouna  farBsag^l  and  nothing  material  transpiring  to  contribute  ad 

t  proce  ,  toBditional  interest  to  the  narrative,  I  shall  pass  over  th( 


lauled  round 
Ind  rain,   which 
^  veered  to  the 
the  Channel 


the 
remainder  of  this   passage,  without  giving  a  monot- 
onous detail,    and   will  carry   the   reader  along  with 
ime  to  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  which  was  entered  on  the 
-        .^jg  ^as*econd  day  of  June ;  afterwards,  we  had  light,  baffling, 
h^^'^had  quitefrcsterly  winds,  which  obliged  us  to  remain  at  anchor 
yj  broad  ex*fcree  days,  affording  a  fine  opportunity  to  paint,  clean, 
kou  the     ^^^j^j^glnd  strip  the  ship  of  all  her  bandages,  so  that  we  might 
A  *^now   becotnefnter  port  in  ship-shape  order. 

ture  of  loyl  ^  ^^^  ^**»  *^®  wind  coming  in  from  the  southward, 
the  na  ^^  weighed  anchor,  made  all  sail,  and  stood  up  the  bay. 


316 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


In  twentyr-six  hours  she  was  made  fast  alongside  the 
wharf  in  the  port  of  Baltimore,  making  the  passage  in 
fifty  days.  Thus  was  the  East  India  voyage  closed ; 
{ind  thus,  aI«o,  were  my  services  closed  in  this  employ, 
for  the  ibliowing  reason,  viz.,  1  had  neglected,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  voyage,  to  have  a  written  agree- 
ment in  regard  to  the  compensation  I  should  have  for 
transacting  the  business.  Of  course  I  was  entitled  to 
commission  ;  but  the  owners  thought  proper  to  substitute 
the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  instead  of  the  regular 
commission  allowance,  which  would  have  amounted  to 
three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  These,  then,  are 
the  reasons  why  I  left  the  employ.  Possibly  it  would 
have  been  for  my  interest  to  have  remained,  especially 
as  it  was  not  generally  known  whether  the  merchants 
had  displaced  me,  or  whether  I  had  left  them  of  my  own 
accord. 

I  was  not  very  anxious  to  embark  again  immediately, 
for,  as  it  will  be  seen,  I  had  been  constantly  employed 
for  the  last  two  or  three  years,  and  it  was  but  natural 
that  I  should  feel  a  strong  desire  to  remain  on  shore 
with  my  family  for  a  short  time,  to  enjoy  the  social 
and   domestic  comfort  of  which  seamen  are  so  long 
and  so  frequently  deprived.     Circumstances  now  tran^ 
spired  which  are   not   necessary  to  relate,  but  whichj 
called  upon  me  to  use  every  exertion,  not  only  to  sustaioi 
my  reputation,  but  to  maintain  the  social  relations  that  Ij 
was  bound  to  uphold.     To  remain  idle  was  not  ver 
congenial  to  my  temperament,  or  my  peculiar  situation 
this  time ;  consequently,  employment  was  sought  for, 
but  not  so  readily  obtained,  because  I  had  a  weight  of 
interest  exerted  against  me  by  my  former  employe) 
which  at  length  obliged  me  to  accept  of  a  first  ofiicei' 
berth,  with  a  promise  of  command  at  the  expiration 
one  voyage.     Accordingly,  I  repaired  on  board  the  si 
H.,  and  discharged  the  duties  devolving  on  my  statioi 
such  as  taking  in  cargo,  &c.     The  destination  of  tl 
voyage  was  as  follows,  viz.,  from  hence  to  New  Orlei 
-and  from  thence  to  Liverpooi ;  to  return  to  Orleans,  aip  ^    i 


Ci 

w 


Lir£    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


3ir 


jngside  the 
passage  m 
,age  closed; 
this  employ, 
ected,  at  the 
written  agree- 
>uld  have  for 
18  entitled  to 
,rtosuhstitute 
3f  the  regular 
»  amounted  to  I 
Eiese,  then,  are 

^ihly  it  ^0"^^ 

ined,  especially 

the  merchants 

hem  of  my  0^^^ 
mediately, 


lin  im 


from  thence  to  Baltimore.  The  ship  being  in  complete 
readiness,  with  crew  and  passengers  all  on  board,  wo 
sailed  on  the  2d  of  November,  1821. 

I  should  have  passed  by  this  voyage  in  silence ;  but 
as  there  are  circumstances  connected  with  it  different 
from  any  which  have  been  related  in  this  narrative,  I 
shall  give  as  brief  a  detail  as  the  nature  of  those  cir- 
cumstances will  admit,  and,  in  doing  so,  1  shall  en- 
deavor to  divest  myself  of  all  prejudice,  either  to  the 
captain  or  crew.  Having  a  fine,  fresh  north-west  wind, 
we  soon  ran  down  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  discharged  the 
pilot,  and  went  to  sea,  November  5th.  By  this  time  I 
had  an  opportunity  to  make  my  observations  on  those 
with  whom  I  was  to  be  associated  for  at  least  eight 
months ;  and  the  result  was  not  of  the  most  pleasing 
kind.  Captahi  B.,  an  Irishman  by  birth,  wfis  about  fifty 
years  of  age ;  and  although  he  haci  followed  the  sea  for 
many  years,  yet  he  was  not  a  sailor.     Proud  and  over- 


itantly  employ®"  ■  bearing,  he  endeavored  to  keep  his  officers  at  a  distance ; 
was  hut  natural^  ^^^  as  to  the  sailors,  in  his  estimation  they  were  but 

ittle  elevated  above  the  brute  creation.     The  height  of 
enioy  ^""  "" — ■  "^^  ambition  appeared  to  be  in  painting,  scrubbing  the 
„  are  so  lo^^SM  decks  with  holystones,  and  employing  the  steward  in 


tances  now  tran-Hsome  trifles,  such  as  cleaning  brass,  tins,  &c.  He  was 
late  hut  "whicM  exceedingly  vain  of  his  own  person,  which  was  short 
.  Qjj\y  to  sustaiWand  thick,  —  stooping  very  much,  from  disease  in  the 
al  relations  that«j)jick;  with  a  broad,  Irish  face,  large  nose,  and  eyes  that 
,1  ^as  not  ve!|Bsee(ne^  ready  to  pop  out  of  his  head,  and  a  mouth 
^culiar  situatioti8!B\vhich,  when  spread,  occupied  nearly  the  diameter  of 
was  sought  to'Bhis  beautiful  face ;  his  legs  were  short,  and  his  feet 
had  a  weight  oiBmlght  be  fitly  compared,  for  beauty  and  symmetry,  to 
'  vtner  emploY^'mhose  of  a  Liverpool  dray-horse.  "  Clothed  with  a  little 
f  a  first  officeiftrief  authority,"  he  exerted  it  on  all  occasions ;  and  his 
^he  expiration  ofthief  delight  appeared  to  be  to  make  the  situation  of  the 
,  ■'-'-  ^  ^^fficers  and  crew  as  unpleasant  as  his  ill-temper  and 
isposition  could  suggest.  As  a  proof  of  this,  immedi- 
ely  after  leaving  the  land,  the  crew  were  put  on  an 
llowance  of  provisions  and  water,  with  orders  to  keep 
hands  at  work  during  the  whole  day.  He  endeav- 
29 


,on  hoard  the 
Lg  on  my  stati^ 

.e  to  ^ew  Otlea 
\xn  to  Orleans, 


•w-t-a* 


318 


Lil''!::    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


^hii 


!     I 


ored  to  ape  the  gentleman,  with  the  passengers ;  but  it 
was  witli  such  an  ill  grace,  that  he  failed  in  the  attempt, 
and  he  was  des))ised  by  them.     I  shall  leave  him  for 
the  present,  and  say  something  in  relation  to  the  second 
officer,  and  crew.     Mr.  N.  was  a  young  man,  just  out 
of  his  time  in  seamanship ;  was  not  above  mediocrity  ; 
indolent  in  disposition,  exceedingly  illiterate,  knowing 
not  how  to  govern  himself  or  command  others.     The 
seamen,  generally,  were  disposed  to  be  obedient ;  but  the 
ungenerous  and  unfeeling  treatment  of  Captain  B.  in- 
duced a  spirit  of  insubordination  and  murmuring,  so 
that  it  was  not  without  great  difficulty  that  I  managed 
to  have  the  unjust  orders  of  Captain  B.  executed.     We 
had  not  been  many  days  at  sea  before  I  discovered  that 
our  noble  commander  knew  very  little  about  navigation 
—  in  fact,  he  had  rim  the  ship  ten  degrees  to  eastward 
of  the  Hole  in  the  Wall,  when  in  its  latitude,  so  that 
the  ship  was  hove  to,  three  nights  in  succession,  with  a 
fair  wind  and  fine  weather.     The  passengers  now  be- 
came exceedingly  uneasy ;  and,  as  the  owner's  son  was 
on  board,  he  requested  me  to  take  a  lunar  observation, 
saying  that  he  would  take  all  responsibility  on  himself. 
I  complied  with  this  request,  and  determined  the  ship's 
position,  which  was  found  to  be  correct  when  we  made 
the  land.     It  may  be  supposed,  after  this,  that  the  pas- 
sengers had  no  more  confidence  in  the  abilities  of  Cap- 
tain B.,  as  a  navigator ;  for,  upon  all  occasions,  I  was 
consulted,  which,  by  the  way,  proved  to  be  most  unfor- 
tunate, for  all  the  malevolent  passions  of  this  little  great 
man  were  levelled  at  me.     But  he  soon  found  his  vitu 
peration  was  entirely  harmless ;  and  when  he  ascertained 
that  he  could  effect  his  purposes  of  revenge  in  no  other^ 
way,  he  accused  me  of  drunkenness.     This  foul  slanderB  ^y 
was  easily  rebutted,  for  he  was  proved  to  be  a  liar  by!  saiJi 
the  passengers  and  his  own  steward,  and  the  most  sov-B  add 
ereign  contempt  fell  upon  himself.  I  ^ee 

Immediately  after  our  arrival  at  New  Orleans,  in  conj  '>efo 
sequence  of  the  cruel  usage  towards  the  crew,  they  ail  aboiiT 
deserted.     I  demanded  my  discharge ;  but  to  this  thfl  uniaj 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


319 


rera ;  but  it 
ihe  attempt, 
ive  him  for 
5  the  second 

lan,  3«s^  .°^^ 
mediocrity ; 

Me,  knowing 
others.     The 
Lient ;  but  the 
Japtain  B.  m- 
tiurmuring,  so 
^ai  1  managed 
•xecnted.     We 
iiscovered  thai 
,out  navigation 
,es  to  eastward 
atitude,  so  that 
.cession,  with  a 

engers  now  be- 
kwner's  son  was 
nar  observation, 

ility  on  himseU. 
ninld  the  shil)^s 

when  we  made 
lis,  that  the  pas- 
abilities  of  Cap- 
occasions,!  WM 
o  be  most  unfoH 
,f  this  little  gieal 
k  found  his  vitu- 
en  he  ascertain^ 
lenge  in  no  otn«l 
This  foul  slanM 
to  be  a  liar  byl 
id  the  most  flo^j 

hr  Orleans,  in  coi 
fhe  crew,  they  ^ 
but  to  this  t»« 


owner's  son  (who  was  the  consignee)  would  not  listen, 
assuring  me  that,  if  I  would  perform  this  voyage  in  the 
ship,  I  should  have  the  command  on  her  return :  with 
this  assurance,  I  consented. 

She  was  loaded  with  cotton,  for  Liverpool,  and  sailed 
January  7th,  1822.  After  the  most  extraordinary  short 
passage  of  twenty-four  days,  we  arrived  in  Liverpool 
Dock.  During  the  whole  of  this  passage,  Captain  B. 
and  myself  did  not  exchange  a  single  word  together, 
except  as  he  gave  some  order  pertaining  to  duty,  which 
was  answered  by  the  simple  monosyllable  of  yes  or  no. 
The  men  were  used  more  like  galley-slaves  than  free- 
men. Besides  working  hard  all  day,  they  were  frequent- 
ly called  up  two  or  three  times  in  their  watch  below  at 
night,  having  continual  gales  and  heavy  weather  to  con- 
tend against.  As  in  New  Orleans,  so  it  was  in  Liver- 
pool, for  we  had  not  been  in  dock  more  than  twenty- 
four  hours,  before  the  crew  all  deserted.  The  ship  was 
discharged,  but  did  not  obtain  a  homeward  freight  until 
March.  Among  other  things  which  came  on  board 
with  the  stores  and  furniture,  were  six  holystones, 
three  of  which  had  iron  rings  at  both  ends,  and  weighed 
nearly  two  hundred  pounds  each.  Upon  examination,  I 
ascertained  that  we  had  barely  beef  and  pork  enough  to 
last  forty  days ;  this  was  reported  to  the  Captain,  when 
he  replied  that  it  was  all-sufficient. 

March  3.  —  We  hauled  out  of  dock,  had  a  fine  run 
down  the  Irish  Channel,  and  steered  away  to  the  south- 
ward, for  the  Antigua  passage.  The  whole  time  I  spent 
on  board  of  this  ship,  thus  far,  had  been  as  disagreeable 
as  can  well  be  imagined ;  but  the  past  could  bear  no 
comparison  with  what  followed.  Eight  days  had  scarce- 
ly elapsed  since  our  departure  from  I/iverpool,  when  the 
sailors  were  put  on  short  allowance  of  beef  and  pork ; 
add  to  this,  all  hands  were  employed  two  days  in  the 
week  holystoning  the  decks  with  those  immense  stones 
before  mentioned,  that  required  six  men  to  drag  them 
about.  On  field-days,  all  the  spars,  water-casks,  &c.,  were 
unlashed,  and  the  decks  «crubbed  in  their  places ;  and, 


I: 

I 
I 


320 


lAFF.    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


I      j 


m' 


to  make  up  the  climax  of  drudgery,  as  usual,  all  hands 
were  kept  at  work  during  the  entire  day.  It  may  well 
be  supposed  that  my  situation  was  not  the  most  agree- 
able in  the  world  ;  but  a  seaman  can  fully  conceive 
what  kind  of  a  time  I  had  of  it,  being  necessarily 
obliged  to  enforce  the  orders  of  Captain  B.  Although, 
from  my  heart,  I  pitied  the  men,  yet  I  was  often  com- 
pelled to  resc  i  to  severe  chastisement,  in  order  to  get 
the  work  performed.  In  a  word,  to  sum  up  the  charac- 
ter of  Captain  B.,  he  was  cruel,  overbearing,  mean,  and 
dastardly.  When,  according  to  his  calculation,  we  were 
to  make  the  islands  which  form  the  Antigua  passage,  he 
was  again  far  out  of  his  reckoning,  and  hove  the  ship 
to,  four  nights,  with  a  fair  wind.  At  length  he  humbled 
himself,  and  asked  me  to  take  a  lunar  observation.  I 
complied  with  this  request,  and,  according  to  the  result, 
we  made  the  land,  and  arrived  at  New  Orleans  after  a 
passage  of  forty  days.  As  the  ship  was  to  proceed  to 
Baltimore  forthwith,  I  determined  to  remain  in  her, 
although  it  might  be  at  the  expense  of  my  feelings  and 
comfort.  As  a  proof  that  I  have  not  exaggerated,  in 
reference  to  the  character  of  Captain  B.,  and  hi?  general 
treatment  to  his  men,  it  may  be  sufficient  to  say,  that, 
immediately  after  we  made  the  ship  fast  alongside  the 
levee,  at  New  Orleans,  every  sailor  left  the  ship. 

On  the  12th  of  May,  cast  off  from  the  wharf  and 
dropped  down  the  river,  and  in  thirty  hours  I  was  again 
on  the  broad  ocean,  homeward  bound.  Nothing  mate- 
rial  transpired  during  this  passage.  In  fourteen  days  we 
arrived  in  Baltimore,  and  made  fast  alongside  the  wharf. 

I  am  happy  in  being  able  to  state,  that,  during  a  life 
of  fourteen  years  upon  the  ocean,  —  and  of  course  I  have 
sailed  with  many  commanders  of  various  temperaments, 
—  the  conduct  of  this  last  man  was  a  manifest  exception  j 
to  all  the  others;  and  it  would  be  no  marvel,  if  such 
were  the  general  character  of  sea  captains,  that  mutiny] 
and  insubordination  were  the  general  characteristics  of 
sailors.  This,  however,  is  not  the  case;  there  are  many, 
very  many,  honorable   exceptions ;   and  I  have  never] 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


321 


,  att  hands 
.  niay  well 
nost  agree- 
Ly  conceive 

necessarily 
Although, 

often  com- 
order  to  get 
,the  charac- 
2,  mean,  and 
ion,  we  were 
a  passage,  he 
,ove  the  ship 
h  be  humbled 
bservation.     I 
r  to  the  result, 
)rleans  after  a 

to  proceed  to 
©main  in  her, 
ly  feelings  and 
exaggerated,  m 
land  hi?  general 

Lt  to  say,  that, 
It  alongside  the 

le  ship. 

the  wharf  and 
[urs  I  was  again 
Nothing  mate- 
.urteen  days  we 
Kside  the  wharf. 

It,  during  a  lite 
|of  course  1  have 

s  temperaments, 
Wfest  exception 
marvel,  if  such 
kns,  that  mutiny 
[haracteristics  oi 
'  there  are  many, 
I  have  never 


known  a  commander,  who  was  a  good  seaman,  to  be 
tyrannical  and  overbearing.  Oapt.  B.  was  immediately 
duicharged  upon  our  arrival,  and  the  command  was 
given  to  me.  In  consequence,  however,  of  the  yellow 
fever  raging  violently  at  the  time,  the  ship  remained  at 
the  wharf  unemployed  during  the  whole  summer.  In 
the  month  of  October,  I  assumed  the  command  of  the 
ship  Ohauncey,  four  hundred  tons'  burden,  and  bound 
to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  It  will  be  seen  that  my  stay  on* 
shore  was  of  longer  duration  than  it  had  been  for  many 
years ;  and  as  domestic  cares  had  by  this  time  begun  to 
multiply,  I  found  more  difficulty  to  sever  those  strong 
associations  which  entwined  around  the  affections  of 
mutual  love.  How  much  is  there  in  a  sailor's  life  which 
acts  upon  him  as  so  many  sources  of  sorrow  and  disqui- 
etude,— especially  if  he  be  united  to  one  that  is  capable 
of  appreciating  a  sailor's  love,  and  one,  too,  that  is  a 
sharer  and  sympathizer  in  all  his  joys  and  sorrows,  an(f 
can  feel  for  his  perils  and  hards'  ips!  This,  then,  wsb 
exactly  my  position ;  and  notwithstanding  I  had  been 
privileged  to  remain  with  the  objects  of  my  affection 
nearly  four  months,  yet,  as  the  time  approached  for  sep- 
aration, I  felt  more  deeply  the  anticipated  privation 
which  I  was  called  upon  to  endure.  The  ship  requiring 
many  repairs, — such  as  calking,  sheathing,  coppering, 
&c.,  —  consequently,  she  was  not  ready  for  sea  until  the 
first  of  December,  at  which  time  her  lading  was  all 
completed,  and  she  was  in  readiness  for  a  two  years' 
voyage.  Let  me  digress  here,  to  give  some  account  of 
the  ship,  her  owners,  and  the  supercargo,  in  order  that 
the  circumstances  connected  with  the  ensuing  voyage 
may  be  better  comprehended.  As  before  stated,  she 
|was  about  four  hundred  tons'  burden,  originally  built 
or  a  privateer;  but,  as  peace  was  proclaimed  before 
ihe  was  fitted  out,  she  was  risen  upon  with  heavy  up- 
r  works,  her  iron  fastenings  were  drilled  out,  and  she 
as  refastened  with  copper,  (fco.  The  ship  was  very 
harp  and  very  weak,  her  upper  works  being  too  heavy 
lOr  the  lower  frame.  Her  principal  owner  was  a  Scoich- 
29* 


I      Hi 


322 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


man,  proverbially  close  and  penurious,  as  may  be  seen 
from  the  following  account:  The  crew  of  the  ship 
consisted  of  nineteen  souls;  he  made  a  calculation  for 
ninety  days'  passage  from  hence  to  Lima,  with  the  cus^ 
tomary  allowance  of  beef,  bread,  and  pork,  for  each  day. 
This  amount  was  stowed  so  as  to  be  at  hand  when 
wanted ;  but  the  remainder  of  the  provisions  for  the  voy- 
age was,  according  to  his  orders,  stowed  underneath 
•  the  cargo.  Remonstrance  was  useless.  The  supijrcargo 
was  a  young  German,  a  relative  of  one  of  the  owners; 
he  had  procured  a  greater  part  of  the  cargo  on  consign- 
ment ;  he  spoke  the  English  language  badly,  and  did  not 
understand  a  word  of  the  Spanish.  The  hour  for  sail- 
ing drew  nigh,  and,  with  a  heavy  heart  and  painful 
emotions,  the  last  interview  was  now  about  to  take 
place.  It  was  short  and  sad,  for  already  the  topsails 
and  top-gallant-sails  were  at  the  mast-head ;  the  keen 
north-west  wind  blew  piercingly ;  blue  Peter,  at  the 
mast-head,  fluttered,  and  the  stars  and  stripes  were  quiv- 
ering in  the  breeze.  The  time  for  parting  at  length 
came.  For  a  moment  I  faltered  ;  but  in  the  next  might 
have  been  heard  the  melancholy  accents  of  bidding 


ro^ 


I 

of  a 
tid  ( 
(air 
and 
supe: 
[had  ] 

J  temp] 
and, 

ing  U 
has 


adieu.     I  hurried  out,  saw  nothing,  heard  nothing,  andlhowej 


felt  nothing,  until  I  fomid  myself  on  the  quarter  deck , 
of  the  ship  Chan ncey.     All  were  on  board;  the  single 
fasts  were  slipped,  and  anon  she   was  sailing   rapidly  j 
down  the  river. 

In  two  days  we  anchored  at  New  Point  Comfort,  tliej 


Jfhey 
had 

jldetej 
pode 
me  U 


"wind  being   to  the   eastward,  with   dark,  threateningftdmit.] 
weather.     Here  we  had  a  fine  opportunity  to  fill  up  oiirr 
water-casks,  and  to  procure  a  good  stock  of  fresh  pro-J 
visions.    As  the  wind  continued  a-head  for  several  d 
the  spars,  water-casks,  and  boats,  were  all  well  secured; 
the  chafing-gear  —  such  as  battens,  mats,  leathers,  &c.| 
—  were  seized  on  in  their  respective  places,  and  the  shi|| 
was  now  completely  bandaged  for  a  long  cruise. 


^*-'>1 .' 


323 


£-     ;<7l. 


i2^- 


j,y  be  seen 
f  the  ship 
•ulation  for 
tth  the  cusr 
)r  each  day. 
hand  when 
for  the  voy- 

vinderneath 
le  sup-rcargo 
the  owners; 
,  on  consign- 
er, and  did  not 
hour  for  sajl- 
t  and  pamf*il 
about  to  take 
V  the  topsails 
ead ;  the  keen 

peter,  at  the 
were  quiv- 


^.m  '■ 


«>«■• 


Vi 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


vn 


TOTAGE  TO  TBB  PACIFIC DANGEROUS  LEE  SHORE AND  FROT'- 


IDENTIAL   ESCAPE. 


i:V 


Before  leaving  our  anchorage,  I  had  a  fair  opportunity 
of  ascertaining  the  character  of  my  crew ;  which  consist- 
ed of  eight  able  seamen,  a  carpenter,  six  young  men 
(all  of  respectable  connections)  as  ordinary  seamen,  cook, 
and  stewcid  ;  first  and  secoiK  Tiers,  with  myself  and 
supercargo;  being  twenty-or  lumber.     Thus  far,  I 

had  raason  to  be  well  satisfied  with  them.     In  prosecut- 
ing this  voyage,  I  put  in  execution  what  I  had  long  con- 
e  weic  H"--   -teniplated.     I  took  no  liquor  of  any  description  on  board ; 
V  2  at  length  land,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  bottles  of  wine  belong- 
'  h    next  might  ling  to  the  supercargo,  I  had  reason  to  believe  that  there 
of  bidding  Iwas  none  fore  and  aft  the  ship;  in  the  place  of  which, 
^    nothing,  andlhoweVer,  I  allowed  the  men  tea,  coffee,  and  sugar,  and 
■    '     they  were  all  well  satisfied  with  the  substitute.     As  I 
had  now  the  entire  command  and  control  of  this  sl:i;>, 
|1  determined  to  institute  such  regulations,  and  observe  a 
jmode  of  treatment  to  the  crew,  that  would  make  their 
ime  to  pass  as  happily  as  the  nature  of  a  sea  life  would 
idmit.     My  first   officer  was  an  educated  man,  and  a 
;ood  sailor;    the   second   officer  was   an   able  seaman, 
lardy  and  rough,  active,  and  always  ready  to  execute 
|he  commands  of  his  superiors.     Before  we  got  under 
ay,  the  watches  were  chosen,  and  the  rules  and  regu- 
itions  for  the  discipline  of  the  ship  were  made  known 
the  crew. 

On  the  morning  of  December  7th,  the  wind  sprang 

|p  from  the  north-west,  and  by  the  time  we  got  the 

chor  weighed,  it  blew  a  strong  gale.     The  ship's  head 

canted  to  starboard,  and  we  ran  down  to  the  Capea 


le  quarter  deck 
[ard-,  the  singe 
sailing  rapidly  | 

Int  Comfort,  thel 
M-k  threatenmgl 
Uv'to  fiU  up  ouii 
.k  of  fresh  pio-| 
'for  several  days! 
jU  well  secured! 
as,  leathers,  &cj 
kces,  and  the  M 
Ig  cruise. 


iii 


t^» 


324 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


under  a  reefed  foresail.     It  was  with   much  difficuhy 
and  great  hazard  that  our  pilot  got  on  board  of  his  boat, 
and  at    10  A.  M.,  we  passed  Cape  Henry  lighthouse, 
scudding,  at  (he  rate  of  eleven  knots,  under  reefed  fore- 
sail.    At  rrierj'dian,  it  continued  to  blow  violently ;  and, 
as  it  is  custorr;  ^ry  in  every  well-regulated  ship  either  to 
sound  or  pump  the  vessel  out,  the  carpenter  was  now 
ordeied  to  sound  the  pumps ;  to  my  great  surprise,  he 
reported  thai  there  were  two  feet  of  water  in  her.     This 
T/as  a  source  of  great   mortification,  especially  at   the 
(;omrrr"^.cemririt  of  a  long  voyage ;  and  the  more  so,  be- 
'  cause  there  is  no  circumstance  that  causes  more  distrust 
and  discontent  among  sailors  than  a  leaky  ship.     It  now 
became  necessary  to  keep  one  pump  constantly  going  in 
heavy  wrathei,  and  every  hour  in  moderate  weather. 
By  dint  of  a  little  tact  and  management,  pumping  soon 
became  a  matter  of  course  with  the  seamen,  and  was 
performed  as  cheerfully  as  any  other  part  of  the  ship's 
duty.     As  a  passage  similar  to  the  present  has  been  de- 
scribed in  the  first  part  of  this  work,  I  deem,  it  advi- 
sable not  to  swell  these  pages  with  a  repetition  of  un 
necessary  detail.     Permit  me,  therefore,  to  transport  theKjtjjg 
reader  from  a  sight  of  Cape  Henry  lighthouse,  with  a 
.ard    north-wester  blowing,  over  different   oceans  and 
varied  climes,  and  through  all  sorts  of  winds  and  weather, 
calms  and  gales,  to  a  position  off  the  Falkland  Islands, 
near  Cape  Horn,  after  the  very  short  passage  of  sixty- 
four  days.     All  now  was  on  the  tiptoe  of  expectatioii,| 
believing  that  v^e  should   double  this  boisterous  Ca| 
without   much  difficulty.     I  had,  however,  taken   tin 
precaution  to  get  the  ship  snug,  and  in  perfect  readinesJijQ^g* 
to  encounter  adverse  weather  in  this  region  ;  and,  in  mm^^j  ' 
opinion,  this  is  what  every  good  seaman  ought  to  do 
for  no  sooner  was  the  ship's  head  pointed  to  the  soutl 
west,  off  Staten  Land,  than  it  commenced  to  blow  vi 
lently  from  west-south-west.     The  ship  was  put  on  tl 
starboard  tack,  and  it  blew  so  tremendously  that  notl 
ing  mor^  than  storm-trysails  and  double-reefed  forei 
could  be  carried.     Now  our  troubles  began  to  muitiplj 


M 


fiego 

pnso 

tape 

m  bet 

pess  oi 
thesJ 
iger.l 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


325 


ich  difficulty 
i  of  his  boat, 
y  lighthouse, 
er  reefed  fove- 
iolently;  and, 
ship  either  to 
jnter  was  now 
at  surprise,  he 
in  her.     This 
pecially  at  the 
tie  more  so,  oe- 
.s  more  distrust 
yship.    It  now 
stantly  going  1" 
.derate  weather. 
t,  pumping  soon 
eamen.  and  """■ 


was 


upon  us.    For  thirteen  days  it  continued  to  blow  an 
incessant  gale  from  west-south-west  to  south-west,  with 
high  seas  and   severe   hail-squalls :   during  the  whole 
time,  neither  sun,  moon,  nor  stars,  were  seen ;  in  addition 
to  this,  we  had  now  been  out  nearly  eighty  days,  and  it 
became  necessary,  for  the  reasons  stated  at  the  com- 
mencement of  this  voyage,  to  reduce  the  allowance  of 
provisions ;  and,  what  was  still  worse,  we  had  lost  near 
three  hundred  gallons  of  fresh  water  by  the  bursting  of 
two  casks ;  so  that  each  man's  allowance  was  now  re- 
duced to  half  a  pound  of  salt  beef,  or  pork,  three  quarters 
of  a  pound  of  bread,  and  three  pints  of  water,  per  day. 
To  be  sure,  we  had  plenty  of  beans,  peas,  and  rice ; 
but  then   there  was  no  fresh  water  to   cook  them  in. 
Thus  were  we  reduced  to  this  scanty  allowance  at  a 
time  when  we  stood  most  in  need  of  nourishment  and 
sufficiency  of  food;  and  this  state  of  things,  too,  was 
,art  of  the  ship's  Ibrought  about  by  the  cupidity  and  avariciousness  of  one 
ent  has  been  de- iof  the  owners.     From  the  closest  calculations  I  could 
1  deenu  it  advi-imake  in  reference  to  the  position  of  the  ship  at  this 
repetition  of  un-lperiod,  —  having  had  no  opportunity  to  get  observations 
.  to  transport  tlieieither  of  sun,  moon,  or  stars,  —  I  judged  her  to  be  to 
ghthouse,  with  afce  westward  of  the  w«sternmost  point  of  land  off  the 
lent   oceans  andicape ;  but  on  the  morning  of  the  26th  February,  while 
inds  and  weathei,Bying  to  on  the  starboard  tack,  under  the  trysails,  in  a 
Iklaud  Islandsmard  gale  from  the  south-west,  land  was  seen  four  points 
passage  of  sixty-fc  the  weather  bow  and  two  points  on  the  weather 
^of  expectationiRuarter,  while  tho  whole  ice-bound  coast  of  Cape  Horn 
boisterous  CapeBtretched  along  on  our  lee-beam. 

ever    taken  tb«  Thus  we  were  nearly  land-locked,  on  a  frightful  lee- 
perfect  readinewhore,  in  a  heavy  gale  of  wind,  with  a  leaky  ship.    The 
gion '  and,  in  wftnd  on  the  weather  bow  proved  to  be  the  Island  of 
an  ought  to  doftiggo  Ramirez,  that  on  the  weather  quarter,  St.  llde- 
ted  to  the  soutiAnso  Rocks,  and  that  on  the  lee-beam  was  the  coast  of 
need  to  blow  viojape  Horn.     No  alternative  was  now  left,  but  either  to 
n  between  Diego  Ramirez  and  the  coast,  or  to  set  a 
ess  of  canvass,  and  endeavor  to  beat  offshore.     Either 
these  resorts  would  be  attended  with  great  peril  and 


m 


lip  was  put  on 
Uously  that  not! 
[b\e-reefed  foveJ 
to  muUii*] 


Ibegan 


iger. 


I  lesolved,  however,  to  choose  the  latter,  so  that 


326 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


'j\  :k 


IMH  ! 


I 


I  could  have  the  former  —  that  is,  to  run  through  the 
channel,  if  there  were  any  there  —  as  a  last  resource. 
The  close-reefed  main-topsail  and  reefed  foresail  were  now 
set  upon  the  ship.  With  this  additional  sail,  she  bounded 
over  the  high  sea,  making  little  more  than  two  points  and 
a  half  lee-way.  With  what  an  anxious  heart,  and  still 
more  anxious  eye,  did  I  note  the  bearings  of  the  land ! 
but  alas !  the  sea  rolled  so  heavily  that  it  forced  her  to 
leeward,  and  she  drew  in  with  the  land.  The  close- 
reefed  fore-topsail  was  now  set,  and  with  this  pressure  I 
of  head-sail  she  plunged  into  the  sea,  as  if  goaded  to] 
madness  by  the  additional  weight  of  canvass  ;  and  fre- 
quently the  jib-boom,  bowsprit,  and  part  of  the  fore- 
castle, were  under  water,  while  the  dashing  foam  fronij 
over  the  bows,  and  the  heavy,  rolling  sea,  broke  fore  andl 
aft  the  deck.  It  was  four  o'clock,  and  the  ship  was  novl 
on  the  larboard  tack.  During  the  previous  part  of  thel 
day,  she  had  been  pressed  with  canvass  almost  beyondj 
the  power  of  her  strength,  and  the  gale  still  blew  witbj 
unabated  violence.  The  rocks,  piled  with  mountains  of! 
ice,  were  not  more  than  one  mile  and  a  half  distant/ 
directly  on  the  lee-beam.  With  these  dangers  in  view] 
all  hands  were  summoned  to  the  quarter  deck. 

"  My  lads,"  said  I,  "  you  perceive  the  situation  of  tl 
ship ;  we  have  been  carrying  a  hard  press  of  canvass 
day,  and  yet  we  have  lost  ground,  and  are  much  neari 
the  rocks  now  than  we  were  in  the  morning;  night i 
coming  on,  and  it  will  be  worse  than  useless  to  attemd 
to  beat  off  shore  in  this  gale  of  wind ;  we  must  noj 
wear  ship,  and  stand  off  under  a  press  of  canvass, 
should  the  wind  favor  us  two  points,  we  shall  weatti 
Diego  Ramirez ;  but  if  the  wind  should  break  the  shipo| 
why  then  we  must  run  through  the  channel  betwe 
the  island  and  the  coast.     There  are  some  sunken  ro 
laid  down  on  the  chart,  but,  with  a  good  look-out, 
may  clear  them.    You  see,  then,  our  salvation  depen 
much  on  your  firmness  and  activity.     Let  there  bej 
confusion  or  insubordination ;  away,  then,  to  your 
tions,  and  stand  by  to  wear  ship !  " 


m 


run  through  the 
i  a  last  resource, 
foresail  were  now 
sail,  she  bounded 
lan  two  points  and 
us  heart,  and  still 
ings  of  the  land ! 
at  it  forced  her  to 
and.     The  close- 
nrith  this  pressure  I 
,  as  if  goaded  to] 
canvass ;  and  fre- 
part  of  the  fore- 
ashing  foam  from  I 
sea,  broke  fore  andl 
the  ship  was  novj 
evious  part  of  thel 
ass  almost  beyondl 
ale  still  blew  with! 
with  moimtains  oil 
md  a  half  distant] 
se  dangers  in  view] 
ter  deck, 
he  situation  of  tt 
press  of  canvass 
id  are  much  neav 
morning;  night i 
useless  to  attemjj 
id ;  we  must  noj 
iss  of  canvass,  anj 
,  we  shall  weatii 
1  break  the  shipc 
I  channel  betwe 
some  sunken  ro 
good  look-out, 
salvation  depeo 
Let  there  be( 
then,  to  your 


-f^p'-" 


f 


-V 


7/ 


m 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


327 


This  order  was  promptly  obeyed.  The  lee  fore-tack 
was  stretched  along  to  the  windlass,  and  the  braces 
were  manned. 

"  Are  you  all  ready  fore  and  aft  ?  " 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir !  "  was  the  reply. 

"  Put  your  helm  up,  and  round  in  the  after  yards !  " 
The  main-topsail  shook  violently.  "  Square  away  the 
head-yards !  "  The  ship  immediately  paid  off  before  the 
wind,  and  for  a.few*minutes  ran  as  if  driven  by  a  thou- 
sand furies  ;  presently,  however,  she  came  up,  and  took 
the  wind  on  the  starboard  quarter.  "  Haul  in  your  lar- 
board braces  for^>  and  aft !  —  heave  down  the  fore-tack, 
aad  gather  aft  the  fore-sheet — right  your  helm  —  belay 
all,  and  steady  out  the  bowlines."  The  ship  came  up 
to  the  wind,  but  its  violence  hove  her  down  nearly  to 
the  quick-work. 

"  She  has  come  up  two  points,  sir,"  said  the  helmsman. 

Thank  God,  said  I,  inwardly,  —  two  more  points  and 
lall  is  safe.  ''  Away  there,  aloft !  my  lads ;  loose  the  main- 
Isail,  and  reef  it." 

The  first  officer  looked  me  directly  in  the  face,  as 
Imuch  as  to  say,  "  She  will  not  bear  it,  sir."  "  She  must 
[bear  it,"  cried  I,  "  or  the  masts  shall  go  out  of  her,  for 
Ithere  is  no  alternative." 

The  mainsail  was  loosed  and  reefed,  and  the  weather 
klew-garnet  was  slacked  down,  while  the  tack  was  hove 
Sown  with  the  windlass  ;  then  the  sheet  was  hai 
ilose  aft.  With  this  broad  sheet  of  canvass  in 
jentre,  she  dashed  through  the  foaming  billows  with 
pe-gunwale  under  water.  Her  head  now  looked  up 
pur  points  to  windward  of  the  island,  but  darkness  was 
athering  fast  upon  us.     The  bearings  of  each  point  of 

id  were  accurately  taken  and  noted ;  and  now,  to  add 

the  disasters  of  this  fearful  night,  the  lee-pump  would 

ptkeep  the  ship  free,  and  the  spirits  of  the  sailors  began 

I  sink. 

J  At  ten  P.  M.,  the  gale  moderated,  and,  the  ship  being 
|ore  upright,  the  weather  pump  was  rigged,  and  she 
soon  free.     By  this  time  I  judged  we  were  nearly 
80 


IIUVO 


828 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


i^ill 


!l 


ill  1 1 


abreast  of  the  island.  I  was  not  mistaken  in  mv  conjec- 
ture, for  as  the  wind  lulled,  the  roaring  of  the  breakers 
dashing  against  the  rocks  was  heard.  At  midnight,  it 
fell  away  entirely  calm,  and  the  sound  of  the  breakers 
became  clearer,  and  more  distinctly  heard.  Perilous  as 
had  been  our  situation  during  the  whole  day,  it  was  now 
rendered  infinitely  more  so,  by  this  dread  calm. 

There  was  not  a  breath  of  air,  and  the  ship  becom- 
ing quite  unmanageable,  she  was  driven  by  the  heavy 
south-west  swell  directly  toward  the  rocks.  There  we 
lay  until  the  morning  broke.  During  the  night,  nothing 
was  heard  but  the  roaring  noise  of  the  surf,  which 
broke  like  an  immense  cataract  against  the  rocks,  inter- 
mingled occasionally  with  the  screams  of  numerous  sea- 
fowls,  which  had  sought  shelter  from  the  storm.  A 
sight  the  most  appalling  presented  itself  that  can  pos- 
sibly be  imagined  ;  there  we  lay  within  thre^  cables' 
length  of  the  rocks,  u]X)n  which  the  sea  broke  as  high 
as  our  topmast-heads,  without  a  single  breath  of  wind  ; 
the  heavy  swell  was  forcing  the  ship  nearer  and  nearer, 
every  moment,  to  certain  destruction.  The  cables  and 
anchors  were  entirely  useless,  for  there  was  no  bottom 
with  a  hundred  and  sixty  fathoms'  line  ;  the  boats^  too, 
were  of  no  service,  on  account  of  the  tremendous  highlfree. 
swell.  It  was  a  moment  of  deep  and  painful  suspense.1%  i 
In  twenty  minutes,  without  any  wind,  the  ship  would  bel'^e  i 
'^hed  into  a  thousand  pieces,  and  all  hands  would  bel^orii 
flHternity.  I  thought  on  my  home  and  the  dear  objectsV^tei 
i^ad  left  behind.     I  thought  on  that  Being  whom 


n 

d 
fr 
h( 
G( 
in^ 
pre 

get 
the 
the 
hea 
shoi 
the 


olts 

bat 

iitt 


had  so  often  offended,  and  inwardly  ejaculated  a  prayei 
for  mercy.     The  seamen  were  silent  and  solemn,  am 
had  prepared  themselves,  by  taking  off  every  thing  bul 
their  shirts  and  trousers,  to  buffet  the  angry  breakei 
before  them.    We  had,  previously  to  this,  set  evei^ 
that  we  could  get  on  the  ship,  so  as  to  catch  the  le 
puff  of  air  that  might  pass  by.     Noyr  we  were  withi 
one  and  a  half  cable's  length  of  the  rocks,  and  the  wii 
from  the  rebounding  breakers,  falling  heavily  upon  oil  But 
canvass,  forced  the  ship  ahead  twice  her  length.    TlfotiQi 


ails 

indd 

'ne  ei 

eoti 

'cure 

ton] 


Lire    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


329 


1  mv  conjec- 
the  breakers 


mil 


dnig^^i 


It 


the  breakers 
perilous  as 
[y,  it  was  now 

calm. 

,e  ship  becom- 

by  the  heavy 
^js     There  we 
,  night,  nothing 
^e  surf,  which 
Lbe  rocks,  inler- 
f  numerous  sea- 

the  storm.    A 
.\f  that  can  pos; 


sun  rose  clear,  and  not  a  cloud  was  seen  in  the  heavens 
as  the  glorious  orb  ascended  upon  his  daily  round.  A 
light  cat's-paw  came  dancing  over  the  glassy  bosom  of 
the  deep,  directly  off  the  land.  The  yards  were  quickly 
trimmed,  the  light  sails  shivered  and  swelled  out  from  the 
masts,  and,  ere  long,  the  whole  surface  of  the  water  was 
ruffled  with  the  increasing  breeze.  The  topsails,  as  if 
relieved  from  violent  labor,  fell  asleep.  She  starts  — 
she  moves  through  the  water  —  she  is  safe  !  In  fifteen 
minutes  she  was  running,  with  topmast  and  lower  stud- 
ding-sails set,  at  the  rate  of  seven  knots  per  hour,  directly 
from  the  land.  We  sat  down  that  morning  to  our 
homely  meal,  overpowered  with  gratitude  to  Almighty 
God,  for  this  extraordinary  act  of  his  mercy,  in  deign- 
ing to  grant  our  deliverance  from  a  violent  death,  and 
preserving  the  ship  in  safety. 


'"  """'oil    ables'  I     '^^^^  breeze  lasting  six  hours,  I  took  the  prccautirn  to 

^n  thre?  c  ^      ■  ^^^  ^^  offing.     It  was  well  I  did  so ;  for  at  8  o'clock 

ja  hroKe  as    ^g  ■  ^j^g  ^^^  night,  it  blew  a  gale  from  the  south-west,  and 

breath  01 ,J|the  ship  was  under  close-reefed  topsails.      From  the 


eaver  and  nearer^ 

The  cables  aiw 

e  was  no  bottom 

the  boats,  too, 


[heavy  pressure  of  canvass  carried  on  while  beating  off 
shore,  the  ship  had  strained  considerably,  and  increased 
the  leak,  insomuch  that  one  pump  would  not  keep  her 

Ifree.     Fortunately,  however,  the  second  day  after  leav- 


'  A        hiehl  ^'     r  oriunaieiy,  nowever,  me  secona  aay  aiier  leav- 

tremendous     s^ljjjg  ^^^  j^^^^  while  the  cook  was  getting  up  wood  from 

painful  ^"^^^^^Ithe  fore-peak,  he  discovered  one  of  the  breast-hooks  to 


it  Being  w  '*^*"  »hat  the  copper  had  eaten  them  away,  leaving  nothing 
Ijaculated  a  p  ^  w  ^  ^^^  .^^^  ^^^^  .^^  ^j^^  bolt-holes.     Long  wooden  tree- 

and  ^°^®  .    '  ijulails  were  made,  wound  round  with  tarred  parceling, 

every     ?  gg^j^gAid  driven  into  every  bolt-hole ;  a  shoar  was  then  fitted, 

le  angry  l^g  ^^^  ^^  which  was  placed  on  the  breast-hook,  and 

this,  ®®*  ®I^g  *i3p®  other  end  against  a  beam  ;  in  this  way  it  was  strongly 

to  catch  t   _^^^^^cured,  and,  to  our  great  joy,  the  leak  was  so  far  stopped 

V  we  '^^^,     ^iJ  to  make  it  necessary  to  pump  only  once  in  two  hours. 

jcks,  and  in       "m  g^^        troubles  were  not  yet  at  an  end.     The  wind 

heavily  «P0'*  °? 
Iher  length.     *" 


ptinued  to  blow  a  gale  from  west  to  south-west  for 


330 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAK. 


hi,,, 


several  successive  days,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to  get 
to  the  westward,  and  it  became  necessary  once  more  to 
reduce  the  allowance  of  bread  and  water — say  one  quart 
of  water,  and  half  a  pound  of  bread,  daily,  per  man,  for 
seven  days.  Such  was  the  severity  of  the  weather,  that 
the  cook  was  unable  to  make  any  fire  in  the  galley ; 
consequently,  we  had  to  eat  raw  beef  and  pork,  which 
made  our  thirst  intolerable.  On  the  eighth  day  after 
leaving  the  land,  the  wind  moderated,  and  it  fell  away 
calm.  The  heavy  south-west  swell  went  down,  and  in 
the  afternoon  a  rolling  swell  came  up  from  the  eastward. 
From  the  indications  of  the  weather,  I  supposed  we 
should  soon  have  an  easterly  gale ;  and  before  darkness 
closed  in  upon  us,  the  topsails  were  close-reefed,  the 
courses  were  reefed  and  furled,  with  the  mizzen-topsail, 
jib,  and  mizzen,  so  that  the  ship  was  now  under  two 
close-reefed  topsails  and  fore-topmast-staysail.  My  sup- 
positions were  correct ;  for  at  8  o'clock  the  wind  sprang 
up  from  the  eastward,  and  before  ten  it  blew  a  violent 
gale.  The  main-topsail  was  clewed  up  and  furled,  and 
we  scudded  away  to  the  westward  during  the  whole 
night,  with  the  close-reefed  fore-topsail,  at  the  rate  of| 
eleven  and  twelve  knots  per  hour. 


i 


U    !• 


w;.;'tv.  ::.v  ■- 


331 


<  -r 


iible  to  get 
ice  more  to 
ty  one  quart 
^er  man,  for 
reather,  that 

the  gaUey  -, 
pork,  which 
ith  day  after 

it  fell  away 
down,  and  m 
the  eastward. 

supposed  we  , 
jfore  darkness 
ose-reefed,  the 
mizzen-topsail, 
,ow  under  two 
^sail.    My  sup- 
he  wind  sprang 
blew  a  violent 
and  furled,  and 

ring  the  whoU 
at  the  rate  of 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

CONTINUATION  OW   YOYAOB  —  ARRIVAL    AT    GALLAO  —  VISIT  TO 

LIMA,   dtC. 

The  ship  was,  by  computation,  in  latitude  56°  30^ 
south ;  and,  as  we  had  run  sufficiently  far  to  the  west- 
ward, at  daylight  in  the  morning  we  steered  away  to 
the  northward,  so  that,  by  twelve  o'clock,  her  course 
was  north-north-west.  In  eight  days  from  this  period 
we  were  in  sight  of  the  Island  of  Juan  Fernandez.  It 
was  my  intention  to  stop  at  this  place,  and  fill  up  the 
ivater ;  but,  at  2  P.  M.,  the  cheering  cry  was  heard,  from 
the  mast-head,  of  " Sail  ho! "  At  three  o'clock  we  spoke 
the  United  States'  frigate  Constellation,  Com.  Ridgely, 
[bonnd  to  the  United  States,  from  the  Pacific  station.  I 
^ent  on  board,  and  was  necessarily  obliged  to  state  to 
the  commodore  our  condition  and  wants.  After  bestow- 
Dg  some  hearty  blessings  on  the  owners  of  the  ship,  he 
fery  politely  supplied  us  with  two  hundred  gallons  of 
rater,  and  three  barrels  of  bread.  This  seasonable  sup- 
ply precluded  the  necessity  of  touching  at  the  island ;  so 
'e  continued  our  course  towards  Lima,  where  we  ar- 
ived  in  eight  days,  and  anchored  in  the  harbor  of  Cal- 
10  March  25th,  1823,  making  the  passage  in  one  hun- 
red  and  eight  days  from  the  Capes  of  Virginia. 
Here  were  a  number  of  British,  French,  and  German 
issels,  and  the  market  was  completely  glutted  with  all 
|nds  of  merchandise  peculiar  to  those  nations.  Flour, 
)wever,  was  in  great  demand,  in  consequence  of  the 
ip  having  entirely  failed  in  Upper  Peru  and  Chili. 
[e  lay  here  three  months,  during  which  we  did  not 
)l  more  than  one  third  part  of  the  cargo.  Our  next 
itination  being  to  the  intermediate  ports  of  Peru,  then 
30* 


332 


LTFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


in  the  possession  of  the  royalists,  and  which  were  in 
a  state  of  blockade  by  the  Peruvian  government, — of 
course  we  remained  here  for  convoy,  which  was  expect- 
ed every  hour  from  the  United  States.  I  took  this  op- 
portunity of  visiting  Lima.  Like  most  of  the  other 
Spanish  cities,  some  of  the  buildings  were  large  and 
magnificent,  having  a  court-yard  forming  a  square,  the 
passage  leading  to  which  is  through  a  massive  folding 
gate.  The  greater  part  of  the  buildings  are  of  a  most 
ordinary  kind,  and  the  streets  are  narrow,  very  much 
confined,  and  exceedingly  dirty.  The  churches,  many 
of  them,  are  very  large,  and  formerly  were  famous  for 
their  riches,  particularly  the  cathedral,  the  altar  of  which 
was  made  of  beaten  silver ;  the  candlesticks,  and  the 
other  embellishments,  of  pure  gold ;  but  since  the  revo-  j 
lution,  these  riches  have  nearly  all  been  removed,  and 
coined  into  money,  to  carry  on  the  expenses  of  the  war. 
I  visited,  also,  the  Pantheon,  or  repository  for  the  dead, 
which  is  situated  at  a  small  distance  outside  of  the  city. 
This  place  contains  about  twelve  acres  of  land.  With  a 
wall,  built  in  the  form  of  a  circle,  which  encloses  all  the 
ground ;  this  wall  is  ten  feet  high  and  seven  feet  thick  — | 
not  unlike  the  parapets  of  a  fortress — built  of  stone ;  aiidj 
there  are  three  receptacles,  or  holes,  one  above  the  other, 
sufficiently  large  to  admit  a  coffin,  each  height  beingj 
three  feet  apart.  The  bodies  remain  here  until  they  an 
entirely  decomposed,  when  the  bones  are  taken  out, 
piled  up  into  large  heaps,  and  burnod.  The  higher  das: 
of  persons  have  splendid  tombs  erected  in  the  groundBqmpj| 
wherein  they  bury  their  dead,  and  from  whence  they  ar«supg|.j' 
never  removed.  At  the  entrance  of  this  charnel-hoiiselthe  § 
there  is  a  large  chapel,  which  on  no  occasion  is  nsedlproce^ 
except  for  the  performance  of  funeral  rites.  This  plaWurtijg 
is  unlike  any  other  part  of  Lima,  as  it  is  well  construcllcharac 
ed,  and  kept  in  the  most  perfect  and  neat  order.  Ithat  t 

Lima  is  situated  seven  miles  north  of  Callao,  a  plawtherefc 
but  a  short  distance   from  the  site  where  old  Callapim  to 
stood,  which,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  destroyed  wordin 
an  earthquake  about  eighty  years  previous  to  this  perio»|iofed 


} 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


333 


ich  were  in 
iment,— 0^ 

was  expect- 
ook  this  op- 
of  the  other 
.re  large  ami 
a  sq«aTf6»  the 
assive  folding 
ire  of  a  most 
V  very  much 
tiurches,  many 
jre  famous  fov 

altar  of  which 
sticlJS,  and  the 
since  the  revo- 
n  removed,  and 
,ses  of  the  war. 
rv  for  the  dead, 
iide  of  the  city. 

of  land,  with  a 
K  encloses  all  the 

ven  feet  thick  - 
\ut  of  stone ;  and 
above  the  other 
'h  height  beingi 
:'re  until  they  are 
,  are  taken  out] 
The  higher  cias! 
'l  in  the  ground 
whence  they  at( 
is  charnel-house 
occasion  is  "f'l 
•ites.     ThispM 
lis  well  constvucfl 
jat  order. 
,f  Callao,  a  plac 
where  old  Call 
vas  destroyed  t 
lous  to  this  per« 


With  the  exception  of  one  man,  every  soul  perished, 
and  every  house  and  building  sank,  and  was  swallowed 
up,  in  this  awful  catastrophe.     I  visited  this  spot,  and, 
although  the  country  around  was  exceedingly  fertile, 
yet  here  was  neither  verdure,  shrub,  nojr  spire  of  grass, 
— the  whole  surface  being  one  entire  bed  of  ashes.    The 
extreme  tops  of  some  of  the  houses  are  yet  to  be  seen. 
It  fell  to  my  lot,  while  here,  to  be  a  witness  of  one  of 
these  dreadful  earthquakes :  it  happened  at  night,  about 
ten  o'clock,  while  I  was  on  shore.     Many  houses  were 
knocked  down  ;  and,  while  I  was  endeavoring  to  get  to 
my  boat,  the  ground  rolled,  and  undulated,  like  the 
waves  of  the  sea;  for  several  minutes  I  found  it  impos- 
sible to  proceed ;  at  length,  however,  I  reached  the  boat, 
and  found  the  men  in  the  deepest  consternation.     They 
informed  me,  that,  for  a  few  moments,  the  water  had 
retired  sixty  feet,  and  then  rushed  back  with  incredible 
rapidity,  sweeping  all  before  it.     I  did  not  remain  on 
shore,  after  night,  during  the  whole  period  of  our  stay. 
The  United  States'  ship  Franklin,  Commodore  Stew- 
art, at  length  arrived,  and  we  made  application  for  con- 
voy to  the  blockaded  ports,  which  was  immediately 
granted.    In  three  days  after,  we  were  under  way,  bound 
to  duilca,  under  the  convoy  of  the  Franklin,  and,  on 
the  seventh  night,  anchored  off  that  port.     Here  we  dis- 
charged nearly  the  whole  of  the  cargo,  by  order  of  the 
supercargo,  for  which  I  required  him  to  endorse  the 
bills  of  lading.     The  merchandise  was  all  sent  to  Are- 
quipa,  the  capital  of  Upper  Peru.     The  intention  of  the 
supercargo  was  to  remain  at  Arequipa,*in  order  to  effect 
the  sales  of  the  cargo  ;  and  his  orders  to  me  were  to 
proceed  forthwith  to  Valparaiso,  and  remain  there  until 
further  orders  from  him.     From  my  observations  on  the 
character  and  oompetenoy  of  the  supercargo,  I  foresaw 
that  this  would  be  a  ruinous  voyage ;  on  the  strength, 
[therefore,  of  this  belief,  I  insisted  that  every  order  from 
im  to  me  should  be  given  in  writing,  which  was  ac- 
ordingly  done.     In  eleven  days  from  duilca,  we  an- 
hored  in  the  port  of  Valparaiso,  and  there  discharged 


334 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


if"!!i 


the  remaining  part  of  the  cargo,  according  to  order.  We 
lay  in  this  port  nearly  four  months,  and,  during  this 
period,  there  was  a  slight  shock  of  an  earthquake  once 
a  day,  for  forty  days  in  succession.  I  embraced  the  op- 
portunity, while  here,  in  company  with  several  of  the 
officers  of  the  Franklin,  to  visit  Santiago,  the  capital  of 
Chili,  and  the  famous  springs  of  Caukennes. 

Santiago  is  situated  about  ninety  miles  north-east  of 
Valparaiso,  and  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  cities  in 
Spanish  America.  It  is  built  nearly  at  the  base  of  the 
first  range  of  the  famous  Cordilleras;  the  climate  is 
generally  temperate,  although  it  is  sometimes  very  warm. 
Ice  has  never  been  known  to  make  in  the  city,  and  yet 
every  day  presents  to  the  vision  the  sublime  and  mag- 
nificent sight  of  the  perpetually  snow-topped  and  ice- 
bound mountains,  to  which  the  muleteers  ascend  and 
bring  loads  of  ice  upon  their  mules,  —  one  of  the  great- 
est luxuries  in  warm  weather.  Although  the  buildings 
of  this  city  are  neither  so  large,  nor  so  magnificent,  as 
those  of  Lima,  yet  they  far  surpass  them  in  neatness  and 
beauty.  They  are  generally  rough-cast  and  white- 
washed, which  gives  them  an  air  of  the  most  perfect 
cleanliness.  The  streets  are  wide,  and  also  clean,  and 
are  laid  out  at  right  angles.  There  seemed  to  exist  a 
corresponding  congeniality  throughout  the  community, 
for  the  inhabitants  were  more  sociable,  and  more  hospita- 
ble to  strangers,  than  any  Spaniards  I  had  evei*  met  with. 

After  remaining  heie  one  week,  we  proceeded  to  the 
springs,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  miles  from  Santiago. 
t)n  this  route  we*  were  obliged  to  take  guides,  as  our 
course  lay  sometimes  through  forests,  without  any  cer- 
tain marks  to  distinguish  the  way.    It  was  a  journey  full 
of  interest.     Travelling  the  greater  part  of  the  distance  i 
at  the  base  of  high  mountains,  it  was  not  unusual  to  I 
see  a  volcano  every  ten  miles.     It  was  a  sublime  sight, 
in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  to  behold  these   burning] 
mountains  sending  forth  liquid  flames  of  fire.     The  sec- 
ond day,  at  four  o'clock,  we  arrived  at  the  banks  of  the  I 
£iver  Hatchapal,  from  whence  maybe  seen,  on  the  other 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


335 


order.  We 
during  this 
quake  once 
3iced  the  op- 
veral  of  the 
le  capital  of 

I 

lorth-east  of 
iful  cities  in 
,  base  of  the 
he  climate  is 
ss  very  warm, 
city,  and  yet 
me  and  mag- 
pped  and  ice- 
rs  ascend  and 
B  of  the  great- 
the  buildings 
magnificent,  as 
til  neatness  and 
St  and   white- 
s  most  perfect 
ilso  clean,  and 
lied  to  exist  a 
le  community, 
I  more  hospita- 
,  ever  met  wiib. 
loceeded  to  the 
from  Santiago, 
guides,  as  our 
ithout  any  cer- 
IS  a  journey  full 
of  the  distance 
not  unusual  to 
sublime  sight, 
these  burning 
fire.     The  sec- 
le  banks  of  the 
ten,  on  the  other 


side,  on  an  elevation  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feetf 
the  small  settlement  of  Caukennes.  Here  we  dismount^ 
ed,  and  the  guides  led  our  horses  across  a  swinging 
bridge,  made  exclusively  of  hides ;  after  which,  in  about 
half  an  hour,  we  arrived  at  our  journey's  end.  These 
springs  are  famous  for  the  cure  of  epilepsy  and  scorbutic 
eruptions.  They  vary  in  temperature,  from  80°  to  160° 
Fahrenheit.  Many  persons  resort  to  this  place  from  all 
parts  of  Chili.  Bathing  in  them  is  said  to  be  a  perfect 
cure  for  the  diseases  above  named.  As  there  were  none 
of  our  company  diseased,  we  remained  here  but  one 
day,  and  then  started  again  for  Santiago  at  five  in  the 
morning ;  and,  incredible  as  it  may  appear,  we  arrived  in 
Santiago  at  six  o'clock  the  same  evening,  changing  our 
horses  three  times,  and  resting  two  hours  in  the  heat  of 
the  day  —  thus  having  travelled  a  distance  of  one  hun- 
dred mi^es  in  eleven  hours. 

After  remaining  heru  a  few  days,  we  proceeded  im- 
mediately to  Valparaiso,  where  I  found  Mr.  V.,  the 
supercargo.  He  informed  me  that  he  had  obtained  a 
cargo,  and  forty  passengers,  at  Arequipa,  for  Cadiz,  and 
that  we  must  proceed  forthwith  to  give  the  ship  such 
repairs  as  were  necessary,  with  provisions,  stores,  &c., 
and  then  repair  immediately  to  Q,uilca,  where  the  cargo 
aad  passengers  would  be  in  readiness. 

Now,  as  this  place  was  in  a  state  of  blockade,  and  as 
there  were  none  of  our  men-of-war  here  at  present, 
great  risk  would  be  incurred  in  attempting  to  enter  that 
port  without  a  convoy.  Again,  the  expenses  of  an  out- 
fit for  this  expedition  would  be  very  great ;  and,  without 
[some  guaranty  to  cover  the  expense  and  risk,  I  believed 
[the  whole  expedition  to  be  perfectly  unjustifiable.  I 
learned  from  Mr.  V.,  however,  that  he  had  no  guaranty 
whatever,  except  the  bare  word  of  the  Spaniards.  I 
remonstrated  with  him  upon  the  great  uncertainty  which 
kould  attend  the  whole  of  this  enterprise  ;  all  was  in 
ain.  He  gave  me  written  orders  to  fit  the  ship  out  as 
lefore  stated.  Two  surveyors  were  called  by  the  United 
•tates'  consul ;  and  their  reports  were,  that  the  ship  must 


336 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


r*« 


If- 


be  calked,  coppered,  and  that  she  inus*;  have  a  new 
mizzen-mast,  with  some  new  sails,  &c.  This  was  ac- 
cordingly done  —  which,  together  with  the  provisions, 
stores,  &c.,  amounted  to  the  e  ic.  tious  expense  of  six 
thousand  dollars.  Every  thin^^^  being  now  in  complete 
readiness,  we  got  under  wpy  from  Valparaiso,  without 
convoy,  and,  iik  a  few  days,  were  off  the  port  of  Q,uilca. 
As  none  of  the  blockading  squadron  were  seen,  we  ran 

Mr.  V.  went  on  shore ;  and, 

that 
was 


in,  and  came  to  an  anchor. 

to  his  great  surprise  and  mortification,  learned 
neither  cargo  nor  passengers  were  there.  This 
what  I  had  expected. 

Written  orders  were  received  from  him  to  get  under 
way,  and  cruise  off  and  on  for  fifteen  days,  at  the  expi- 
ration of  which  the  ship  was  to  come  into  port ;  and,  in 
the  mean  time,  he  assured  me,  that  the  cargo  and  passen- 
gers would  be  in  readiness  to  be  taken  on  board.  All 
this  was  done,  in  accordance  with  his  commands ;  but 
when  the  ship  reentered  the  port,  neither  cargo,  pas- 
sengers, supercargo,  nor  letters,  were  waiting  for  me. 
Here,  then,  I  was,  in  a  blockaded  port,  liable  every  hour 
to  seizure.  In  this  dilemma,  I  sent  an  express  to  Mr.  Y., 
at  Arequipa,  but  received  no  answer.  Seven  days  passed 
away,  during  which  three  expresses  were  sent,  but  with 
no  better  success,  for  no  tidings  could  be  heard  of  him. 

On  the  eighth  day,  at  2  P.  M.,  a  sail  was  seen  in  the 
offing  ;  but,  as  it  was  quite  calm,  she  could  not  get  in, 
neither  could  we  get  under  way  to  go  out.     Believing 
the  sail  to  be  one  of  the  blockading  squadron,  every] 
preparation  was  made  to  defend  the  ship  as  long  as  pos- 
sible.    Before  night  closed  in,  we  ascertained  the  sail  to  I 
be  a  schooner,  and,  as  such,  I  did  hot  fear  her  much,  as 
we  had  six  guns  and  twenty  good  men.    At  eight  o'clock  [ 
a  boat  was  seen  approaching  the  ship,  which  was  or- 
dered to  keep  off,  but,  after  some  expostulation,  she  was  I 
permitted  to  come  alongside.     Permission  was  granted! 
to  the  officer  ci  the  boat  to  come  on  deck ;  he  proved! 
to  be  an  Englishman  ;   said  that  he  belonged   to  the! 
Peruvian  man-of-war   outside,  and   that   he  had  been| 


,  i  •  I 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


337 


sent  by  his  commander  to  inform  me  that  this  port  was 
under  a  state  of  blockade  by  the  Peruvian  government, 
and  that,  as  I  had  violated  it,  of  course  I  must  consider 
the  ship  as  a  prize  to  the  Peruvian  schooner  Lorenzo. 
I  replied,  that  the  strength  of  the  vessels  must  be  tested 
before  I  could  think  of  giving  up  my  ship.  He  was 
then  ordered  into  his  boat,  and  away  they  went. 

All  hands  lay  at  quarters  during  the  night ;  and  in 
the  morning,  at  daylight,  the  schooner  was  within  half  a 
mile  of  us,  pulling  in   with  her  sweeps ;  when  about 
three  hundred  yards  distant,  she  lowered  and  manned 
her  boat ;  at  the  same  time,  we  manned  two  of  the  ship's 
boats.     I  took  charge  of  one,  and  gave  the  other  to  the 
second  mate,  leaving   the   first  mate  on  board,  to  use 
the  large  guns  should  they  be  needed.     As  soon  as  the 
schooner's  boat  pulled  off,  we  pulled  away  also  in  our 
two  boats.     I  ga.ve  orders  previously  to  the  second  mate 
that,  when  we  were  abreast  of  the  schooner's  boat,  we 
must  close  in  and  capture  her,  and  then  immediately 
board   the  schooner.     It   was   the   work  of  but  a  few 
minutes.     The  Spanish  boat  was  captured  without  re- 
sistance, and  we  boarded  the  schooner  under  the  cover 
of  our  own  guns.     This  being  done,  I  ran  her  in  and 
anchored  her  astern  of  the  ship,  spiked  her  laige  gun, 
threw  all  her   small  arms  and  ammunition  cverboard, 
and  moored  her  boats  alongside   of    the   fihip.     The 
schooner  was  detained  until  we  were  ready  to  sail,  and 
|then  their  vessel  was  given  up  to  them. 

The  detention  of  this  vessel  may  perhaps  be  thought 

_-i  unwarrantable  proceeding  ;  but  it  will  be  recollected 

as  long  as  P"^^»hat  my  ship  had  been  convoyed  by  the  United  States' 

ained  the  sai  ^m,;^^  Franklin  to  this  port  after  the  declaration  of  the 

ar  her  muc ,'  ^lilockade,  so  that  I  had  sufficient  proof  that  the  Ameri- 

At  eight  o  c    '  Man  authorities  in  these  seas  did  not  acknowledge  it.     I 

which  ^^    j^lad  not  only  a  right  to  defend  my  ship,  but  also  to  put 

ulation,  ®^®^^   ^  J  out  of  the  power  of  the  schooner  to  capture  or  surprise 


lave  a  new 
his  was  ac- 
j  provisions, 
pense  of  six 

in  complete 
Eiiso,  without 
,rt  of  auilca. 
seen,  we  ran 
n  shore ;  and, 

learned  that 
B.     This  was 

to  get  under 
s,  at  the  expi- 
3  port ;  and,  in 
go  and  passen- 
on  board.     All 
lommands ;  but 
her  cargo,  pas- 

aiting  fer  me. 
able  every  honr 
^press  to  Mr.  V., 
iven  days  passed 

e  sent,  but  with 

heard  of  him. 
i/as  seen  in  the 
uld  not  get  in, 
out.  Believmg 
isquadron,  every 


ion  w^  S'^^   "^Is  in  any  way ;  and  further,  it  will  be  seen  that  neces- 

eck ;  he  pr  ^^  Ity  compelled  me  to  do  this,  as  the  schooner  had  fifty 

elonged    ®      Een  and  one  lone  twelve-pounder  on  a  pivot  —  a  fear- 


^  ii  A  been!""'  *""  """  ^^^^  twelve-pounder  on  a  pivot  — 

it  he  natt        m  ^^^^  against  twenty  men  and  six  small  guns. 


338 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


»» .-a 


'liW 


Seven  days  more  passod  away,  and  no  communication 
was  received  from  Mr.  V.,  although  I  frequently  heard 
that  he  was  dashing  away  in  great  style  with  a  Spanish 
lady,  whom  he  alterwardis  married.  Now,  to  remain 
here  any  longer  would  be  exceedingly  hazardouy,  be- 
cause some  one  of  the  large  vessels  composing  the 
blockading  squadron  was  hourly  expected ;  and  as  forty 
days  had  j)assed  away  since  we  first  came  down  to  this 
port,  and  there  being  no  probability  whatever  that  any 
thing  woU'd  be  done  by  the  supercargo,  —  weighing  all 
these  considerations  maturely,  I  resolved,  in  order  to 
save  the  ship,  to  proceed  immediately  to  the  United 
States. 

Accordingly,  the  next  day,  June  3d,  1824,  after  letting 
the  schooner  free,  weighed  anchor,  made  all  sail,  and 
stood  to  sea,  homeward  bound. 

I  shall,  for  the  sake  of  brevity,  pass  over  the  space  of 
five  weeks,  and  conduct  my  reader  once  more  along  a 
vast  tract  of  ocean  ;  and  if  he  is  not  tired  with  a  stormy 
arid  cold  region  near  to  the  South  Shetland  Isles,  I  will 
agixin  place  him  on  board  the  ship  Chauncey,  surround- 
ed with  fields  and  islands  of  ice,  in  the  latitude  of  58  de- 
grees sf'Uth,  on  the  I2th  July.  It  will  be  recollected  that) 
this  is  the  depth  of  winter  in  this  region,  daylight  con- 
tinuing only  about  four  hours,  and  the  meridian  altitude] 
©f  the  sun  about  13  degrees.  The  situation  of  the  si 
at  this  time  was  perilous  in  the  extreme.  At  daylight! 
in  the  morning,  after  we  had  gotten  into  the  field  icej 
no  end  could  be  seen  to  it  from  the  mast-head.  For-[ 
tunately,  however,  it  was  broken  into  pieces  of  various! 
sizes,  with  mushy  ice  between  them.  No  pen  or  im-T 
agination  can  describe  the  horror  of  this  situation.  Thel 
intensity  of  the  cold  may  be  conceived  from  the  factj 
that  Fahrenheit  then  stood  fifteen  degrees  below  zera 
at  the  entrance  of  the  cabin.  The  great  danger  arising 
from  the  probability  that  the  ice  would  cut  our  shil 
through,  increased  our  fears ;  add  to  which,  the  uncerj 
tainty  when  we  should  get  clear  of  the  ice,  and  thf 
positive  certainty  that  we  could  not  exist  a  long  time  ij 


mtnunication 
uently  beard 
ith  a  Spanish 
^^  to  remain 
azardouy,  be- 
[)m])Osing   the 
;  ar>d  as  forty 
>'  down  to  this  | 
:ever  that  any 
-  weighing  all 
d,  in  order  to 
to  the  United 

,24,  after  letting 
ie  all  sail,  and 

\rex  the  space  of 
le  more  along  a 
d  with  a  stormy 
land  Isles,  I  will 
incey,  surround- 

atitude  of  68  de- 
B  recollected  that 
m,  daylight  con- 
'  aeridian  altitiide|5 
Ltion  of  the  shipP 
■le.     At  daylight| 
nto  the  field  ice, 
last-head.     For- 
ieces  of  variousj 
No  pen  or  im- 
,  situation.     Th( 
■d  from  the  fact, 
rrees  below  zer( 
it  danger  arisini 
,uld  cut  our  shii 
vhich,  the  uncej 
the  ice,  and  tW 
:istalongtimei| 


31 


-to 


sib 


*St' 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


33S 


this  cold  region.  Despair  evidently  appeared  in  the 
countenances  of  the  crew ;  and,  although  death  stared  us 
in  the  face,  yet  it  was  not  a  time  for  me  to  flinch  or 
falter.  For  the  space  of  a  few  moments,  alone  in  the 
cabin,  I  commended  myself  and  crew  to  the  care  and 
mercy  of  that  God  who  had  so  often  delivered  us  from 
danger,  and  whose  eye  never  slumbers  nor  sleeps ;  after 
this,  every  fear  seemed  to  vanish,  and  I  consulted  with 
the  officers  as  to  the  best  method  of  protecting  the  ship 
from  the  ice.  This  was  done  by  running  a  grass  cable 
round  the  bows  of  the  ship,  and  lashing  it  to  the  bow- 
sprit shioud-bolts.  Two-inch  planks  were  then  placed 
up  and  down,  and  secured  to  the  same  bolts,  near  the 
water's  edge ;  then  a  large,  rough  spar  was  run  out  to 
the  end  of  the  bowsprit,  on  the  end  of  which  was  a 
strong  strap ;  to  this  was  hooked  a  tackle  from  the  end 
of  the  bowsprit,  so  that,  by  hoisting  and  lowering  alter- 
nately, it  might  break  the  ice  ahead  of  the  ship.  After 
all  these  preparations  were  made,  to  shield  the  bows 
from  being  cut  through,  I  resolved  to  make  as  much  sail 
as  possible,  to  press  the  ship  through  the  ice,  and 
steer  away  to  the  northward.  This  was  accordingly 
done  as  long  as  daylight  would  permit.  At  sunset,  how- 
ever, no  clear  place  was  seen;  and  she  was  pressed 
through  the  ice  until  midnight,  when  the  sails  were 
furled,  and  we  lay  by  until  half  past  nine  the  next 
morning,  that  being  the  time  of  daylight.  The  wind 
now  blew  a  pretty  strong  gale  from  the  south-west,  and 
Ithe  ice  was  undulating  like  the  waves  of  the  sea,  while 
Ithe  sea-fowl,  among  which  were  huge  albatrosses, 
[gathered  around  us  in  great  numbers,  as  if  instinctively 
[awaiting  the  hour  of  destruction,  to  seize  upon  us  for 
Itheir  prey.  In  vain  we  strained  our  utmost  vision  to 
Ibehold  a  clear  place  of  blue  water ;  alas!  no  joyful  sight 
lof  this  kind  was  visible.  Once  more  sail  was  made  on 
pe  ship,  and  again  was  she  pressed  through  the  ice 
fhroughout  the  day.  At  sunset,  not  only  our  ears,  but 
jpur  hearts,  were  saluted  with  the  cheering  and  joyful 
itelligence,  from  the  mast-head,  that  a  clear  place  of 


111 


fl!i 


340 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


blue  water,  two  points  on  the  larboard  bow,  was  in  sight. 
Darkness  closed  in  upon  us,  before  which,  however,  the 
bearings  of  this  clear  place  were  taken.  We  steered 
directly  for  it,  and  before  midnight  we  reached  it,  when 
the  ship  was  hove  to.  The  next  morning,  it  was  all  clear 
away  to  the  northward  of  us ;  and,  by  twelve  o'clock 
that  day,  the  ice  —  both  field  and  islands  —  was  far  away 
to  the  southward  and  eastward.  The  cable,  planks,  and 
spar,  were  all  takoa  on  board ;  a  press  of  canvass  was  set 
on  the  ship ;  and  at  sunset,  there  was  no  ice  to  be  seen 
from  the  mast-head. 

We  had  a  fine  run  round  the  Cape,  and  passed  to  the 
eastward  of  the  Falkland  Islands.  The  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances by  which  we  had  been  surrounded  for  the 
last  few  days,  and  the  great  deliverance  which  L  id  been 
wrought  out  for  us,  not  only  made  a  deep  impression  on 
my  mind,  but  also  acted  upon  those  of  the  seamen; 
many  of  them  became  serious  and  thoughtful ;  and  I 
had  reason  to  believe  that  the  impression  made  upon 
their  minds,  in  consequence  of  the  many  difficulties  and 
perils  through  which  we  had  passed,  produced  salutary 
effects,  at  least  with  some  of  them.  For  my  own  part, 
I  was  more  deeply  convinced  than  ever  of  the  necessity 
of  a  thorough  change  in  heart  and  life,  in  order  to  be  at 
all  times  prepared  for  the  various  casualties  consequent 
upon  a  sea  life. 

The  wind  continued  strong  and  fair,  and   the  ship! 
bounded  over  the  blue  ocean  at  a  rapid  rate;  nor  was 
there  any  cessation  until  we  had  crossed  the  equinoctial 
line,  and  reached  the  parallel  of  12°  north,  when  sixj 
days  of  interminable  calm,  with  all  its  train  of  anxieties, 
were  endured ;  after  which,  the  north-east  trade  windl 
sprang  up,  and  carried  us  into  the  variable  latitude ;  aiidj 
with  but  little  intermission,  we  took  the  wind  to  the! 
southward,   which   ran   us   into   the   Chesapeake  BayJ 
ninet  r-one  days  from  duilca.     In  two  days  we  anehoredj 
in  the  port  of  Baltimore,  after  an  absence  of  nearly  twc^ 
years,  making  the  passage  in  ninety-three  days. 

It  may  be  supposed  that  no  small  degree  of  astonisM 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


341 


vas  in  sight, 
towever,  the 
yfe  steered 
tied  it,  when 
,  was  all  clear 
irelve  o'clock 
was  far  away 
e,  planks,  and 
uvass  was  set 
'ce  to  be  seen 

passed  to  the 
e  peculiar  cir- 
^aiided  for  the 
^hich  U  vd  been 
3  impression  on 
f  the  seamen; 
aghtful ;   and  I 
,ion  made  upon 
f  difficulties  and 
oduced  salutary 
,r  my  own  part, 
of  the  necessity 
tn  order  to  be  at 
titles  consequent 


ment  existed  among  the  owners  when  this  ruinous  and 
disastrous  voyage  was  made  known  to  them.  Of  course, 
I  came  in  for  a  share  of  the  blame ;  and  yet,  there  was 
no  transaction  connected  with  this  voyage  (except  the 
fact  of  my  assuming  the  responsibility  to  return  home 
with  the  ship)  for  which  I  could  be  justly  censured, 
having  acted  in  all  respects  according  to  the  letter  of 
my  instructions,  and  having,  also,  written  orders  from 
Mr.  y.  for  all  that  had  been  done.  It  was  exceedingly 
fortunate  for  me  that  the  bills  of  lading  were  receipted 
by  Mr.  Y.,  or  the  shippers  would  have  made  me  respon- 
sible for  their  property.  Thus  ended  a  voyage  full  of 
privations,  hardships,  and  perils,  alike  ruinous  to  the  own- 
ers and  shippers  —  for,  with  the  exception  of  eighteen 
thousand  dollars,  not  one  cent  was  ever  received  from 
the  supercargo,  who  married  and  settled  at  Arequipa, 
soon  ran  through  with  all  his  means,  and  closed  his 
career  among  Spaniards. 

How  necessary,  in  view  of  this  statement  of  facts, 
together  with  many  other  similar  circumstances  which 
I  have  before  stated,  that  commanders  of  vessels  should 
make  themselves  capable  of  transacting  the  various  busi- 
ness of  any  and  all  voyages  they  may  be  called  upon  to 
prosecute  ;  and  I  am  thoroughly  convinced  that,  in  one 
half  the  ruinous  voyages  that  are  made,  the  loss  is  owing, 
principally,  to  the  utter  incompetency  of  the  suoercargo 
intrusted  with  the  management. 
31* 


'*■';"  A' 


\u. 


342 


•r  ♦ 


.    I 


CHAPTER   XXXII. 


RELIGIOUS    IMPRESSIONS    AND    HAPPY   RESULTS— •  BAIL   FOR    HA- 

VANA     AND    SOUTHERN     PORTS RENCONTRE    WITH    PIRATES 

ONBOARD THEIR     CAPTURE     AND    DELIVERY     TO     THE     AU- 
THORITIES   OF    NEW    ORLEANS. 

The  solemn  impressions  made  on  my  mind  by  the 
many  perilous  circumstances  in  which  I  had  been 
placed,  were  strengthened  by  the  fact,  that,  in  many 
instances,  human  friendship  exists  in  just  the  same 
ratio  as  temporal  interest  is  served ;  and,  again,  that  no 
permanent  or  lasting  happiness  can  be  enjoyed  apart 
from  that  feast  which  is  only  within  the  province  of 
religion  to  bestow.  The  necessity  of  its  enjoyment, 
therefore,  now  became  the  primary  object  of  my  pursuit ; 
and,  although  I  felt  the  pride  of  my  heart  a  serious 
obstacle  to  its  accomplishment,  yet,  so  deep  and  power- 
ful were  the  convictions  of  my  mind  in  reference  to  the 
unsafely  of  my  condition,  that  even  this  obdurate  pride  j 
did  not  prevent  me  from  making  use  of  the  means,  botli| 
public  and  private.  In  this  state  of  mind,  therefore, 
I  waited,  in  expectation  that,  through  the  medium  ofj 
t  ".ese  channels,  I  should  receive  the  desire  of  my  heart. 
When,  therefore,  the  great  deep  of  my  soul  was  broken! 
up ;  when  I  realized  the  imbecility  of  my  own  power  toj 
save  ;  in  a  word,  when  I  felt  that  Jesus  Christ  had  can-f 
celled  the  debt  which  I  had  incurred  to  divine  justice ;  and! 
when  faith  laid  hold  upon  him  as  my  only  surety,  —  then! 
it  was  that  joy  and  gladness  sprang  up  in  my  soul,  thel 
burden  of  sin  was  removed,  and  1  felt  a  peace  indescrif 
bable,  and  heretofore  unknown.  Nor  was  this  state  ofj 
happiness  confined  exclusively  to  myself.  The  one  of] 
all  others,  whom  I  desired  to  be  a  sharer  of  the  sam^ 
blissful  feelings,  had,  long  before  my  arrival,  obtained! 
like  precious  faith. 


( 
a 


1 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


343 


The  ship  Chauncey  was  again  loaded  and  ready  for 
sea,  bound  for  Havana  ;  we  sailed  on  the  25th  of  Octo- 
ber, and  arrived  at  the  latter  place  on  the  7th  of  Novem- 
ber. The  cargo  was  immediately  sold,  and  a  good  offer 
obtained  for  the  ship,  which  was  accepted,  and  she  was 
accordingly  sold  for  the  benefit  of  all  concerned. 

In  the  course  of  three  weeks,  I  was  again  in  the 
enjoyment  of  all  the  comforts  of  domestic  and  social 
life,  and  resolved,  if  possible,  never  to  subject  my- 
self again  to  the  whims  and  caprices  of  men  who 
knew  not  how  to  appreciate  the  hardships  and  perils  of 
seamen.  With  these  feelings  uppermost  in  my  mind,  I 
purchased  a  sharp  schooner  of  about  a  hundred  tons' 
burden,  and  obtained  a  flight  for  the  Havana ;  my 
intention  being  to  employ  her  between  that  port,  New 
Orleans,  and  one  other  of  the  southern  ports  in  the 
United  States.  Having  now  the  sole  control  of  vessel 
and  cargo,  of  course  I  was  at  liberty  to  adopt  such  regu- 
lations as  my  judgment  dictated  ;  and  as  the  religion  of 
the  Bible  is  an  expansive  principle,  and  breathes  good- 
will to  all  men,  so  I  determined  to  institute  its  forms  on 
board  of  my  vessel,  and  disseminate  its  precepts  among 


•  SAIL   FOR   HA- 

WlTIl   PIRATES 

.|rO     THE     AU- 

mind  by  the 

1  had  been 
that,  in  many 
iust  the   same 

again,  that  no 
'enjoyed  apart 
he  province  ol 

its  enjoyment, 

tof  myp«rsuU' 
heart  a  serious 
eep  and  poW- 

refereiic  .  ^^^  seamen  under  my  command 

ohauraio  \>      m    mu.   c„Urto««-  KoJ«„  r^o/i,. 


ns  bothl    'rhe  schooner  being  ready   for  sea,   we  sailed   the 

ihe  ^®^^g^.gfore,l^g''^"itig  of  January,  1825;  and  from  the  commence- 

^^^         diiim  of  1'"®"*  °f  this  voyage  — although  the  cross  was  heavy,  for 

the  "*^    v^^^^^ll  had  some  old,  refractory  sailors  to  deal  with  —  I  had 

ire  ot    ^'^^.^i^gniprayers  twice  in  the  week,  and  worship  twice  on  the 

oul  ^^'    ^gj  tol^abbath   day.     By  a  judicious  and  proper   treatment 

nK^^t  had  can-l*°^*'^^s  the  sailors,  the  great  difficulty  which  I   had 

9     .^  tice*  andl^'iticipated,  to  induce  them  to  conform  to  these  rules, 

yuiejus   .'thenfwy  soon  vanished;  and  I  am  confident,  from  expe- 

y  sure  V'  ^^  theP^nce,  that,  if  due  regard  be  observed  to  the  feelings 
m  niy  .  ^j^ggiAnd  comforts  of  seamen  (and  this  may  be  done  without 
P®^?^  state  offr^^xing  in  the  least  from  a  good  state  of  discipline) 
/^  The  one  ofr^i^Q  on  shipboard,  they  may  be  brought  under  reli- 
^"*  \  .1L  sain4i^"^  impressions  with  greater  facility  than  landsmen. 
l^?^  ?  htainedl'^®  good  effects  of  the  observances  of  religion  were 
trivai,  0  libundantly  manifest  in  some  of  the   seamen   during 


344 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


the  voyages  I  made  in  this  vessel,  and  particularly  so 
in  time  of  danger  and  peril,  which  existed  to  an  alarm- 
ing degree ;  for  it  must  be  recollected  that,  at  about  this 
period,  the  ocean  swarmed  with  pirates,  who  were  com- 
mitting great  depredations  about  Cuba  and  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico. 

i  It  so  happened  that,  on  one  of  my  voyages  from 
Havana  to  New  Orleans,  I  had  taken  nine  Spanish 
passengers,  and  a  young  American  midshipman,  who 
once  belonged  to  Porter's  fleet,  and  who  had  been 
wounded  in  a  boat-skirmish  with  the  pirates.  This 
young  gentleman  was  going  to  join  his  friends  in  New 
Orleans.  He  understood  the  Spanish  language,  and 
spoke  it  fluently,  as  well  as  myself.  After  getting  under 
way  from  Havana,  and  stretching  over  to  the  Tortugas 
Bank,  the  young  midshipman,  while  I  was  aloft,  watch- 
ing the  manoeuvres  of  a  vessel  then  in  sight,  over- 
heard the  Spanish  passengers  concert  a  plan  to  take  the 
schooner  that  night,  throw  all  the  crew  overboard, 
and  then  run  her  into  Galveston,  which  at  that  period 
was  a  rendezvous  for  pirates.  Thej'^  were  not  aware 
that  the  midshipman  understood  the  Spanish  language : 
consequently,  their  most  barbarous  intentions  were 
learned  from  their  own  lips,  and  communicated  to  me 
by  the  midshipman, -—they  supposing,  of  course,  I  was 
ignorant  of  tlieir  diabolical  plans,  and  that  we  should 
fall  an  easy  prey,  because  there  were  but  eight  of  iis 
fdtogether,  and  they  calculated  that  one  watch  alone 
would  be  on  deck.  I  made  the  crew  acquainted  with!  f^en 
the  intentions  of  the  Spaniards  ;  and,  although  there  wasi^'eck 
no  weapon  on  board  except  an  old  sabre,  yet  I  madel^'Jen] 
the  following  disposition,  in  case  of  an  attack  :  fourl^'ien 
sailors  were  armed  with  handspikes,  and  commanded  tol^'^ate 
walk  the  deck  during  the  night ;  the  cook,  a  very  stoutl^v^er 
colored  man,  was  ordered  to  fill  his  coppers  full  oil^^tac 
water,  and  keep  it  at  boiling  heat,  so  that,  in  the  eveiii'^rd  o 
of  a  rush  of  the  Spaniards,  he  was  to  drench  them  witli"'«i. 
the  scalding  water ;  the  mate  was  placed  at  the  heli«v  ^h 
with  a  rigger's  large  niarlinspike  ;  and  1  took  charge  o] 
the  whole  concern  with  the  old  sabre  in  hand. 


I 

( 
a 

0 
0 

tl 
at 

Sti 

as 

thi 

at 

wj 

sil( 

mic 

and 

mat 

8ho^ 

the 

witH 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


345 


In  order  that  the  reader  may  better  understand  all  the 
mancBUvres,  I  will  state  as  clearly  as  possible  the  plan 
laid  by  the  Spaniards.  As  is  commonly  the  case  with 
all  sharp  schooners,  ours  had  a  long  trunk,  in  the 
forward  part  of  which  was  a  hatchway  leading  into  the 
steerage,  where  the  Spanish  passengers  slept.  One  of 
the  hatches  was  usually  adjusted  in  its  place,  and  the 
other  hatch  placed  on  top  of  it.  The  plan  concerted  by 
the  Spaniards  was,  to  have  one  of  their  number  sleep 
on  deck,  on  the  starboard  side  of  this  hatchway,  and 
another  on  the  larboard  side,  while  a  third  was  to  sleep 
on  a  hencoop  which  extended  across  the  whole  breadth 
of  the  deck  abaft  the  tiller  ropes ;  and  the  remainder  of 
them  were  to  go  below,  as  usual.  The  signal  for  the 
attack  was  as  follows:  the  Spaniard  who  slept  on  the 
starboard  side  was  to  give  three  raps  with  the  ringbolts 
as  a  signal  for  those  below  to  rush  out  and  overcome 
the  sailors,  and  the  one  who  slept  on  the'  larboard  side, 
at  the  same  instant,  was  to  kill  the-  officer  of  the  deck, 
while  the  third,  who  slept  on  the  hencoop  abaft,  was  to 
silence  the  man  at  the  helm. 

With  the  deepest  anxiety,  I  waited  the  attack  until 

midnight,  when  the  Spaniard  on  the  larboard  side  arose 

and  walked  forward.     At  this  point,  I  cautioned  the 

mate  to  watch  the  Spaniard  abaft,  and,  if  he  moved  or 

showed  any  disposition  to  an  attack,  to  knock  him  in 

•"--     •  A  t  of  usl  ^^®  ^®^*^  ^^^'^  ^^^  marlinspike.     I  then  placed  a  man 

but  eigi^  alouel  ^^^*^  ^  handspike  by  the  side  of  the  cook,  and  ordered 

,^^e  walcn    ^^.^|ithcm,  in  case  the  Spaniards  below  attempted  to  rush  on 

acquaintett    ^^  Jdeok,  to  get  the  other  hatch  on,  if  possible,  and  fasten 

though  ^"*iF®  ^.ijthem  down,  or,  if  they  found  this  to  be  impracticable, 

an   attack  : 


trticularly  so 
to  an  alarm- 
at  about  this 
10  were  com- 
the  Gulf  of 

voyages  from 
nine   Spanish 
shipman,  who 
rho  had  been 
pirates.     This 
friends  in  New 
language,  and 
,r  getting  under 
o  the  Tortugas 
-as  aloft,  wa\ch- 
in  sight,  ovev- 
plan  to  take  the 
crew   overboard, 
at  that  period 
were  not  awave 
uish  language ; 
Tntentions  were 
imunicated  to  me 
of  course,  I  was 
that  we  should! 


towi 
id  "commanded  t 
look,  a  very  stoui 


then  to  use  the  handspikes,  and  administer  the  hot 
water  as  copiously  as  they  chose  ;  but  in  no  case  what- 
ever was  this  to  be  done  unless  they  first  made  the 
attack.     I  then  went  forward  where  sat  the  large  Span- 


coppers    "       liard  on  the  forescuttle  with  his  capota  thrown  around 
\at.  in  the  ev    ■, ,  ^,^„^*  tu^  ^^^^^,-,„r^,.ir^A  c;r...,oi  iiroo  rvitron 


that,  m 


him.   At  this  moment,  the  preconcerted  signal  was  given 


rench^tnem  ^^j^y  j^q  Spaniard  abaft.     My  antagonist  before  me  rose 


Iced  at 
1  took  charge  01 

In  hand. 


^m 


346 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


>. 


i(jyi\ 


and  drew  his  knife,  which  I  immediately  struck  out  of 
his  hand  with  ray  sabre.  Finding  himself  disarmed,  he 
begged  for  mercy.  It  was  the  work  of  a  moment  to 
throw  him  down  the  forescuttle  and  bar  it  upon  him. 
Rushing  aft  immediately,  I  found  the  cook  had  made 
good  use  of  his  boiling  water,  for,  while  the  Spaniards 
attempted  to  gain  the  deck,  they  encountered,  to  their 
utter  astonishment,  the  scathing  jf  this  terrible  and 
irresistible  weapon,  causing  them  to  retreat  as  rapidly  as 
they  had  advanced.  After  some  further  resistance  on 
their  part,  we  succeeded  in  getting  the  hatch  on,  and 
securing  them  below.  The  two  remaining  Spaniards, 
who  were  now  on  deck,  and  who  were  the  most  promi- 
nent actors  in  this  tragical  scene,  seeing  that  all  their 
plans  were  frustrated,  like  dastardly  cowards  fell  upon 
their  knees  and  sued  for  mercy.  They  were  tied  hand 
and  foot,  and  lashed  down  to  the  ringbolts  on  deck. 
In  the  morning,  at  daylight,  I  made  them  come  up  one 
after  another,  and  lashed  them  in  the  same  way  I  had 
the  others.  Two  of  them  had  been  considerably  scalded, 
and  I  had  inflicted  a  small  wound  on  the  wrist  of  the 
miscreant  who  had  drawn  his  knife  upon  me.  After 
they  were  all  well  secured,  and  lashed  to  the  deck,  their 
trunks  and  baggage  were  examined,  and  the  contents 
consisted  of  pistols,  dirks,  knives,  and  carbines,  with  all 
sorts  of  balls,  buck-shot,  and  a  large  quantity  of  gun- 
powder. 

With  all  these  proofs  against  them,  it  may  be  thought 
singular  that  I  did  not  make  them  walk  the  plank. 
There  was  a  time  perhaps  when,  in  the  heat  of  excite- 
ment, such  atrocities  would  have  met  with  summary 
punishment ;  fortunately,  however,  my  judgment,  in- 
fluenced by  a  higher  power,  triumphed,  and  their  lives 
were  spared  in  the  midst  of  this  wild  scene  of  excite- 
ment. In  four  days  we  arrived  at  New  Orleans,  and! 
after  a  protest  was  entered,  these  pirates  were  delivered 
up  to  the  proper  authorities ;  but  such  was  the  influence 
exerted  by  the  Spaniards  and  French  at  this  period  in 
this  place,  that  very  littl )  could  be  done  with  these  mis- 


( 
I 

I 

ai 
ti 
fe 
m 
be 
so 
on 
an( 
pir 
a  d 
Sh( 
1 
Soi 
ima 
und 
just 
awa 
in  tf 
corre 
At 
to  ta 
dowr 
nevei 
neigh 

myse 
the  la 
that  t 
a  spy. 
that  si 
being 
bring 
sail  frc 
She  VI 

than  gi 


t'''^y 


x»'.. 


.;■,!!,-■ 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


347 


ruck  out  of 
isarmed,  he 
moment  to 
t  upon  him. 
t  had  made 
lc  Spaniards 
ired,  to  their 
terrible  and 
as  rapidly  as 
resistance  on 
atch  on,  and 
ig  Spaniards, 
}  most  piomi- 
that  all  their 
irds  fell  upon 
ere  tied  hand 
jolts  on  deck, 
a  come  up  one 
me  way  I  had 
>erably  scalded, 
wrist  of  the 
^n  me.  After 
[the  deck,  their 
1  the  contents 
fbines,  with  all 
[antity  of  g«n- 

lay  be  thought 
lilk  the   plank, 
leat  of  excite- 
,7ith  summary 
J  judgment,  in- 
land their  lives 
lene  of  excite- 
y  Orleans,  and 
[were  delivered 
U  the  influence 
I  this  period  in 
Ivith  these  mis- 


creants in  order  to  bring  them  to  that  condign  punish- 
ment which  they  so  ••ichly  deserved. 

Five  voyages  were  made  in  this  schooner  between 
Havana,  Matanzas,  and  Charleston,  South  Carolina; 
and  it  will  be  unnecessary  to  enter  into  all  the  minu- 
tiae and  detail.  I  would  state,  however,  that,  with  very 
few  exceptions,  the  officers  and  crew  remained  with 
me  nearly  every  voyage,  and  I  had  the  satisfaction  to 
believe  that  the  moral  feelings  of  the  seamen  were  in 
some  degree  advanced  by  the  course  which  was  adopted 
on  board  of  my  vessel.  After  many  hair-breadth  escapes 
and  dangers,  and  after  having  been  hard  chased  by  the 
pirates,  I  shall  conclude  this  series  of  voyages  by  giving 
a  description  of  a  piratical  chase  off  the  Double-Headed 
Shot-Keys,  on. the  last  voyage. 

Let  the  reader  take  passage  with  me  from  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  as  far  as  the  Salt  Key  Bank,  and  then 
imagine  himself  to  be  on  board  of  a  sharp  schooner, 
under  a  heavy  press  of  canvass,  with  a  fair  wind,  having 
just  cleared  the  Double-Headed  Shot-Keys,  and  steering 
away  south-west  for  Matanzas.  If  he  can  place  himself 
in  the  position  before  stated,  he  will  have  a  tolerably 
correct  idea  of  the  chase  in  view. 

At  meridian,  the  seaman  at  the  mast-head  was  ordered 
to  take  a  good  look  around  the  horizon,  and  then  come 
down  to  dinner :  he  reported  nothing  in  sight ;  but  as  I 
never  felt  perfectly  composed  in  mind,  when  in  the 
neighborhood  of  this  region  at  this  period,  I  went  aloft 
myself,  and  soon  discovered  a  sail  about  six  points  on 
the  larboard  bow,  standing  directly  for  us,  and  so  close 
that  the  men  could  be  distinctly  seen  on  her  decks,  with 
a  spy-glass.  By  a  little  mancBuvring  I  soon  ascertained 
that  she  was  any  thing  but  a  friend.  Our  studding-sails 
being  on  the  larboard  side,  they  were  shifted  so  as  to 
bring  her  on  the  starboard  tack,  and  prevent  the  strange 
sail  from  cutting  us  off,  which  appeared  to  be  her  object. 
She  was  a  large  sloop  under  a  very  heavy  press  of  can- 
Ivass,  and  had  closed  in  with  us  so  much  (not  being  more 
than  gunshot  off)  that  we  could  distinctly  see  her  deck 


't 


348 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


full  of  men.    Up  to  this  time  we  had  stood  on  our  course ; 
but  it  ijow  became  necessary,  from  the  suspicious-look- 
ing character  of  the  strange  sail,  to  haul  aw?iy  from  her, 
and  try  our  r^tes  of  sailing.     Our  yards  were  accordingly 
trimmed  so  tLat  every  sail  would  draw.     The  very  mo- 
ment that  we  altered  our  course  and  hauled  off"  from  the 
sloop,  she  ran  up  a  large  red  flag,  emblematic  of  a  pirate, 
and  let  us  have  a  shot,  which  fell  at  a  little  distance  astern 
of  us.     Our  situation   now  was  critical :  if  perchance 
her  shot  should  cut   away  any  one   of  our  spars,   of 
course   we   should  be  taken,  and  no  doubt   all   of  us 
put  to  death,   as  many  others   had   been.     Resistance 
would  be  worse  than  useless,  because  there  were  but 
eight   of  us.     Still  I  had  a  long   French   six-pounder 
mounted  on  a  very  high  carriage,  so  that  it  could  be 
elevated  above  the  rail.     The  pirate  now  appeared  to 
gain  upon  us  slowly,  which  seemed  to  have  a  powerful 
effect  upon  the  crew.     The  schooner  was  then  trimmed 
with  all  possible  exactness,  by  running  the  gun  aft,  and 
placing    the   water-casks   amidships.      Again    all   was 
silent  J  the  one  in  chase  let  slip  a  shot  which  fell  on  our 
starboard  beam.     The  yawing  and  discharging  her  bow- 
chaser  had  the  effect  to  drop  her  a  little  astern.     For 
twenty  minutes  she  was  narrowly  watched,  and  it  be- 
came evident  that  we  were  now  gaining  upon  the  ;ascal; 
exasperated,  doubtless,  on  seeing  we  were  outsailing  him, 
he  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon  us.     Fortunately,  however,! 
but  one  single   shot   took  effect,    which  cut  away  the 
quarter-piece.     It  was  now  our  turn.     Being  positive  that 
we  could  outsail  him,  the  stars  and  stripes  were  run  up 
to  the  peak,  and  we  gave  him  a  shot  from  MadenioiselleJ 
Maria,  as  our  gun  was  christened  by  one   of  the  sailors. 
The  pirate  continued  to  chase  us  about  one  hour  and  aj 
half,  (nor  was  he  sparing  of  his  shot  so  long  as  we  werel 
within  reach,)  at  the  expiration  of  which  wc  had  gainedj 
about  two  miles,  and,  as  the  breeze  was  fresh,  the  pirate! 
gave  up  the  chase,  hauled  upon  a  wind,  and  stood  awayl 
for  the  Double-Headed  Shot-Keys,  which  was  a  rendez-' 
vous  for  piratical  cruisers  at  this  period.     We  kept  oh 


,    I 


LirE    ON    THE    OCEAI*. 


349 


ur  course ; 
;ioiis-look- 
j  from  l^er, 
tccordingly 

e  very  mo- 
,ff  from  the 
of  a  pirate, 
tance  astern 
I  perchance 
ir  spars,   of 
,t  all  of  us 
Resistance 

,^Q  -were  hut 
'  six-pounder 
t  it  could  be 
r  appeared  to 
ve  a  powerful 
then  trimmed 
e  sun  aft,  and 
gain    all  was 
ich  fell  on  out 
her  how- 
astern.     For 
ed,  and  it  he- 
non  the  rascal; 

Vusailing  him, 
tely,  however, 
away  tlie 
positive  that 
g  were  run  up 


fging 


cut 


»g 


the  same  course  until  the  pirate  was  out  of  sight  from 
the  mast-head,  and  then  hauled  in  for  the  Cuba  shore, 
so  that,  if  possible,  we  might  get  into  the  Bay  of  Matan- 
zas  before  morning ;  calculating  that  the  pirate,  seeing 
the  course  we  steered  when  he  fell  in  with  us,  would 
naturally  judge  that  we  were  bound  to  Matanzas ;  con- 
sequently, he  would  endeavor  to  get  close  in  shore,  so 
as  to  intercept  us  the  next  morning.  I  was  not  mistaken 
in  this  conjecture.  The  schooner  was  run  close  into 
the  land;  and,  although  the  Pan  of  Matanzas  was  seen, 
yet  the  night  was  so  dark  that  it  was  impossible  to  enter 
the  bay ;  as  soon,  therefore,  as  we  had  run  within  mus- 
ket-shot of  the  shore,  every  sail  was  lowered,  in  order 
to  elude  the  vigilance  of  these  miscreants. 

Thus  we  lay  until  the  morning  dawn  first  appeared 
in  the  eastern  horizon,  and  then  all  sail  was  made,  there 
being  a  light  breeze  from  the  land  ;  but  when  the  morn- 
ing light  chased  away  the  mist  of  darkness,  there  lay 
our  antagonist,  the  pirate,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile 
distant,  directly  on  our  beam.     In  a  few  minutes  he  was 
under  a  cloud  of  canvass,  and,  to  our  great  mortification, 
the  land-breeze  died  away,  and  the  sea-breeze  began  to 
set  in  lightly,  with  overfalls  and  cat's-paws.     This,  of 
[course,  brought  the  pirate  to  windward,  with  the  advan- 
tage of  a  breeze  in  his  favor,  when  we  were  the  mean- 
l^hile  becalmed ;  occasionally,  however,  with  an  over- 
fall, the  wind  would  strike  full  into  our  sails,  while  his 
Wre  flapping  the  masts.     In  this  way  the  wind  con- 
inued  to  baffle  about  for  half  an  hour,  after  which  it  sec 
steady  and  fresh ;  but  the  pirate  had  gained  at  least 


,  Mademoiselle ■(^^j^j.jgj.  ^^  ^  ^-j^  ^^^^  ^g  rpj^^  g^^y  ^f  Matanzas, 
,of  the  sailors. »^^g^gj.^  ^^^  ^^^  ^p^^^  ^^^  j^^jq  j^.  ^^g  steered  under  a 
Ue  hour  andaH  ^  of  canvass,  ♦  '  pirate  following  close  at  our  heels, 
[ng  as  we  ^^^^^leeping  up  at  the  same  time  a  brisk  fire  ;  nor  were  we 
\vic  had  ga}"®^mry  glow  in  returning  the  like  civilities.  Immediately 
Vesh,  the  pi^^^^^Mter  we  hauled  round  the  point  at  the  entrance  of  the 
[nd  stood  ^^y^^ljy,  one  of  his  shot  passed  through  our  mainsail,  when 
was  a  tetidez-K^gjjjjjjggjjg  Maria,  primming  up,  returned  the  compli- 
WTe  kept  0*^^^  ^jy  cutting  away  his  bumpkin  and  rail.  The 
32 


350 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


h    ,1 


chase  now  became  severe,  and  for  a  short  time  our 
safety  was  exceedingly  doubtful ;  in  consequence  of 
which,  I  ran  the  schooner  within  pistol-shot  of  the 
beach,  being  determined  to  run  her  on  shore  rather 
than  risk  our  lives  in  the  event  of  capture ;  but  as  our 
shot  haii  thrown  them  into  some  confusion,  and  as  we 
had  now  reached  a1)reast  of  the  first  fort,  the  pirate,  dis- 
charr-ir^T  the  contents  of  his  large  gun  loaded  with 
grape  lud  round  shot,  hauled  his  wind  and  stood  out  of 
the  1 :;  V.  while  we  ran  in  and  came  to  an  anchor  in  the 
harbor.  ,,,,:,   .,,:, 

Tt  m-ny  be  remarked  that  the  general  supposition  was, 
r  :  lis  time,  that  a  greater  part  of  the  piratical  vessels 
m  t*  /  3  seas  were  fitted  out  in  Matanzas,  and  this  may 
accotuit  for  the  fact,  that  no  notice  was  taken  by  the 
fort  of  the  pirate  which  chased  us  within  two  hundred 
yards  of  it  before  he  hauled  his  wind ;  and  further,  pre- 
viously to  my  leaving  this  port,  tlio  very  identical  pirati- 
cal sloop  came  in  as  a  sugar-drogher  from  Havana,  hav- 
ing, at  this  time,  only  four  men  on  board. 

We  lay  here  about  two  weeks,  and  then  took  in  a  full 
freight,  and  proceeded  to  New  York,  where  we  arrived 
after  a  passage  of  twelve  days.  The  cargo  was  all  dis- 
charged, and  a  liberal  offer  being  made  for  the  schooner, 
she  was  sold ;  and  very  80on  afterwards  I  found  myself 
again  surrounded  by  my  family  and  friends,  with  a  (plate- 
ful heart  for  having  been  delivered  from  so  many  dan- 
gers and  perils  during  a  year's  absence. 

From  the  exposure  to  th^  hea-.   and  the  great  anxiety 
which  had  fallen  to  my  lo*  during  the  la^t  year,  I  per- 
ceived a  sensible  diminut  >n   in   the  sli.ngth  of  my 
vision.     It  will  be  recollected  that  I  had  navigated  thosej 
seas  which  were  infested  by  pirates  of  the  most  sail' 
guinary  and  bloody  character,  and  the  heart  sickens  not] 
only  at  the  recital,  but  at  the  reflection,  of  the  nxnneroui 
atrocious  murders  committed  by  Gibbs,  and  his  ass 
ciates,  about  this  period.     Being  for  a  year  constantly  i 
the  vicinity  where  those  outlaws  were  carrying  on  thei 
bloody  tragedies,  it  may  be  supposed  that  my  mind  wi 


of 
afe 
she 
to 

Mex 

char 
scud 
two 
great 
in  th. 
our  M 


LIFE    ON    THr.    OCEAN. 


351 


rt  time  our 
jequenco   of 
-shot  of  the 
shore  rather 
.  but  as  our 
„,  and  as  vre 
he  pirate,  Qis- 

loaded  with 
a  stood  out  of 

anchor  in  the 

mposition  was, 
,iratical  vessels 
3,  and  this  may 
s  taken  by  the 
tn  two  hundred 
nd  further,  pre- 
r  identical  pirati- 
m  Havana,  hav- 

en  took  in  a  full 
,here  we  arrived 
•argo  was  all  dis- 
f or  the  schooner, 
'  1  found  myselt 
[ids,  with  a  G,^cite- 
\ra  so  many  dan- 1 

|the  great  anxiety 

la-t  year,  1  pei 

isu-ngih  of  my 
'a  navigated  those] 

of  the  most  san- 
[heart  sickens  no 

of  the  numerous 
't)s,  and  his  asso- 

^ear  constantly  n 
I  carrying  on  thei 

Ihat  my  mmd  vfi 


in  a  constant  state  of  excitement  and  anxiety.  These 
circumstances,  then,  connected  with  the  heat  of  the  cli- 
mate, and  the  frequent  exposure  endured  with  the  eyes, 
sensibly  affected  the  optic  nerve,  and  produced,  as  before 
stated,  an  incipient  state  of  intlammation,  and  a  partial 
deprivation  of  sight.  It  became  necessary,  therefore,  to 
enter  upon  a  course  of  medical  treatment,  which  was 
accordingly  submitted  to  ;  and  happily,  so  great  a  benefit 
was  experienced,  that  I  was  again  in  a  condition  to  pur- 
sue my  vocation  on  the  ocean. 

Once  more,  then,  lam  in  command  of  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  models  of  a  vessel  that  ever  floated  on  the 
ocean  —  I  mean  a  Baltimore  clipper  schooner,  of  one 
hundred  and  forty  tons'  burden,  with  proportions  as 
scrupulously  exact  as  if  turned  out  of  a  mould.  The 
workmanship  was  in  all  respects  as  neatly  executed  as 
if  intended  as  a  beautiful  specimen  of  cabinet  excel- 
lence ;  her  spars  were  in  perfect  symmetry  of  proportions 
with  the  hull,  and  she  sat  upon  the  water  like  the  sea- 
bird  that  sleeps  at  ease  on  the  mountain  billow.  The 
destination  of  this  beautiful  craft  was  a  hazardous  one, 
because  it  was  in  the  vicinity  of  those  seas  infested  by 
pirates,  viz.,  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Her  intended  employ- 
ment was,  mainly,  to  bring  specie  from  thence  to  the 
United  States.  She  was  well  armed  and  manned,  and, 
like  some  aerial  being,  as  report  had  it,  would  outstrip 
the  wind. 

December  20, 1825.  —  Being  ready  for  sea,  the  wings 
of  this  beautiful  craft  were  spread  to  the  breeze,  and  in 
a  few  minutes,  with  noiseless  speed,  like  a  swift  dolphin, 
she  was  skimming  over  the  bosom  of  the  river,  bound 
to  Campeachy,  Laguna,  and  Tampico,  in  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  In  twenty-six  hours,  we  had  not  only  dis- 
charged our  pilot,  but  we  were  out  of  sight  of  land, 
scudding  away  with  a  brisk  north-west  gale,  and  in 
[two  days  and  a  half  we  crossed  the  Gulf  Stream.  So 
great  was  the  transition  from  the  extreme  cold  weather 
in  the  bay,  that  now  we  could  not  bear  the  weight  of 
pur  winter  clothing. 


■iS' 


352 


LIFE    ON   TUG    OCEAN. 


The  crew,  sixteen  in  number,  were  stout,  able  sea- 
men, and  the  officers  were  young  men  of  some  educa- 
tion, and  active,  fearless  seamen.  The  same  rules  and 
reignlations  in  reference  to  morals  and  religious  obser- 
vances, and  the  same  judicious  treatment,  were  adopted 
with  this  crew,  as  enforced  on  my  last  voyages.  I  soon 
perceived  that  great  respect  and  deference  were  paid  at 
the  usual  periods  of  our  devotion,  and  profane  language 
was  banished  from  use ;  and,  as  I  have  before  stated,  no 
spirituous  liquors  were  permitted  to  be  used,  but,  instead 
thereof,  small  stores,  such  as  tea,  coffee,  sugar,  &.C.,  were 
abundantly  supplied.  The  good  effects  of  this  measure 
were  incalculable  ;  no  jarring  or  wrangling,  no  debilitated 
frames,  or  inability  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  vessel, 
were  known  among  the  crew ;  they  were  cheerful  and 
obedient,  prompt  in  the  execution  of  every  command, 
ready  and  willing  at  all  times  to  defend  the  officers  and 
vessel  at  the  risk  of  their  lives.  In  such  a  crew  I  had 
the  most  unbounded  confidence,  and  could  trust  them 
in  times  of  the  greatest  hazard  and  peril ;  and  perils  did 
transpire,  as  will  be'  seen  hereafter. 

The  wind  continued  fair,  and  I  had  not  been  deceived 
in  the  reports  of  the  schooner's  sailing ;  in  fact,  it  seemed 
like  enchantment  when,  on  the  morning  of  the  sixth 
day  after  leaving  Cape  Henry,  we  struck  soundings  on 
the  Bahama  Banks,  and  passed  the  Moro  light  on  the 
seventh  night.  The  speed  of  her  sailing  was  almost 
incredible ;  and,  with  a  fair  chance,  I  did  not  fear  any 
vessel  that  floated  the  ocean. 

In  ten  days  we  arrived  at  the  small  port  of  Sisal,  in 
the  province  of  Yucatan,  the  capital  of  which  is  Merida, 
situated  aboui  forty  miles  south-west  of  the  port  town. 
The  port  of  Sisal  —  if  it  may  be  called  a  port  — has  no 
shelter  whatever,  and  is  exposed  to  the  whole  sweep  of 
the  Gulf,  and  the  northers,  which  blow  with  great  vio- 
lence. The  place  has  a  custom-house,  and  a  large  fort, 
garrisoned  with  about  fifty  soldiers.  About  forty  houses, 
miserably  constructed,  constitute  the  town.  Their 
mode  of  living  would  indicate  an  arrear  of  a  century,  at  I 


fir' 


.-.  ....  .^?«,^.»  —.«»,..« 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


353 


,  able  sea- 
jme  educa- 
Q  rules  and 
ious  obser- 
ere  adopted 
res.     1  pooii 
'vere  paid  at 
ne  language 
re  stated,  no 

but,  instead 
ar,&c.,were 
tbis  measuve 
no  debilitated 
of  tbe  vessel, 

cbeerful  and 
;ry  command, 
\e  officers  and 
I  a  crew  1  bad 
lid  trust  them 

and  perils  did 

been  deceived 
lfact,itseemc- 
.  of  tbe  sixth 
'soundings  on 
light  on  the 
y  was  almost 
'not  fear  any 


[ort  of  Sisal,  n\ 
lich  is  Menda, 
the  port  town. 
'  port  —has  no 
/hole  sweep  ot 
kvith  great  vio- 
Id  a  large  foit, 
Ut  forty  houses, 
town.     Their 
)f  a  century,  at  I 


least,  in  civilization.  A  long  pier,  or  wharf,  strongly 
constructed,  extends  out  a  hundred  feet  beyond  the  surf, 
which  rolls  in  heavily.  On  this  pier  is  first  landed  the 
merchandise,  which  is  afterwards  to  be  transported  by 
the  Indians  to  the  custom-house,  a  distance  not  less  than 
a  quarter  of  a  mile.  After  discharging  a  part  of  the 
cargo  here,  we  proceeded  forthwith  to  Campeachy,  La- 
guna,  and  Tampico,  at  which  several  places  the  re- 
maining part  was  discharged,  and  specie,  indigo,  cochi- 
neal, and  logwood,  were  taken  in  for  Baltimore,  where 
we  arrived,  performing  the  voyage  in  seven  weeks,  and 
loaded  immediately  again  for  the  same  ports. 

Six  voyages  were  made  in  this  vessel ;  and  as  I  have 
detailed  a  general  account  in  the  first,  as  regards  the 
different  ports,  and  the  nature  of  the  business,  I  shall 
content  myself  with  detailing  exclusively  the  more 
prominent  circumstances  which  transpired  during  the 
remaining  voyages. 

32  »  .,    -.u-..;„.>v-. 


.  -  I 


354 


.■,p 


i,   '■ 


^  CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

a,         >       '^[•>- :  _;  ■  ,  •'■';,'■ 

PIRATICAL   CHASE    AND    NARROW    ESCAPE RELIGIOUS    SCENE 

'       '  V  AT   SEA,   &C. 

As  on  the  former  voyages  in  these  seas,  so  now,  the 
mind  was  in  a  continual  state  of  excitement  and  anxiety 
with  conflicting  perplexities ;  the  most  prominent  of 
which  were  the  danger  of  the  pirates,  the  diliicult  navi- 
gation, and  the  surrounding  hazard  and  peril  while 
N  lying  in  port  in  the  Gulf.  With  all  these  embarrass- 
ments to  contend  against,  it  acted  upon  my  physical 
fraine,  and  upon  my  sight,  detrimentally.  On  the 
second  voyage,  when  outward  bound,  and  while  cross- 
ing  the  Catouclie  Bauk.  running  under  easy  sail  at  night, 
to  avoid  a  dangerous;  shoal,  and  also  being  overbur- 
dened with  anxiety,  I  remained  on  deck  until  midnight. 
Relieved  by  the  chief  mate,  I  gave  him  strict  orders  to 
keep  a  good  look-out,  not  only  for  the  shoal,  but  also 
for  any  vessels  which  might  come  within  sight,  and  in 
the  event  of  falling  in  with  any,  he  was  to  call  ine| 
immediately. 

The   schooner  was  at  this  timg   running  under  the! 
foresail  alone,  the  other  sails  being  lowered  down,  but 
not  furled.     I  threw  myself  on  the  locker  below,  and! 
was  soon  lost  in  sleep,  from  which  I  was  aroused  byf 
the  mate  informing  me  that  there  was  a  sail  close  on) 
our  weather  beam.     I   sprang    on  deck  immediately;! 
but  the  stranger  had  already  kept  away,  and  was  closej 
under  our  stern,  and  the  first  thing  with  which  I  wasT 
saluted  was  a  musket'shot,  which  came  whizzing  aboua 
our  ears,  and  passed  through  the  foresail.     The  strangeJ 
rounded  to  under  our  lee,  and  presented  one  of  the 
most  frightful  specimens  of  a  piratical  craft  that  I  haJ 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


355 


ever  witnessed.     He  hailed  in  broken  English,  ordered 
me  to  heave  to,  and  he  would  send  a  boat  on  board. 
Perceiving  at  once  that  the  commander  was  either  no 
sailor,  or  that  he  had  mistaken  the  character  of  my  ves- 
sel by  running  his  craft  to  leeward,  I  took  advantage  of 
his  ignorance.     My  men   were   stationed,  some  at  the 
main-halliards,  others  at  the  fore-topsail  and  jib-halliards ; 
and  as  soon  as  his  boat   was  swinging  in  the  tackles 
over  the  side,  they  had  orders  to  hoist  the  sails  up  with 
all  possible  despatch,  at  the  same  time  the  most  profound 
silence  was  to  be  observed.     1  knew  this  was  our  only 
chance,  to  make  the  best  of  our  way,  and  then  run  the 
hazard  of  her  fire ;  for  if  the  pirate's  boat  was  permitted 
to  come  on  board,  all  would  then  be  lost.     Therefore,  I 
preferred  the  chance  of  having  some  of  our  spars  cut 
away,  or  even  the  loss  of  some  of  our  lives,  than  to  give 
up  the  vessel  with  the  absolute  certainty  that  the  whole 
of  us  would  be  sacrificed  by  these  atrocious  marauders. 
At  length  the  looked-for  moment  came ;  the  pirate's 
boat  was  swung  in  the  tackles  over  the  side,  our  sails 
went  cheerily  aloft,  and  in  a  few  minutes  our  beautiful 
craft  was  bounding  over  the  smooth  sea  at  the  rate  of 
ten  knots  per  hour.     Quickly  there  was  a  broad  sheet 
of  flame  issuing  from  the  pirate's  bows,  and  whistling 
I'sight,  and  in!  came  the  deadly  shot,  which  fell  at  least  a  quarter  of  a 
Xo  call  me  1  mile  ahead  of  us.     My  lads  were  all  firm  and  undaunted. 
It  was  a  moment  that  called  for  energy  and   decision 
under  thelof  character.     Shot  after  shot  passed   over  us,  but  as 
red  down,  butlyet   none  had  done   any  execution ;  and  as  it  became 
er  below,  andiaecessary  to  increase  our  speed,  in  order  to  get  out  of  gun- 
as  aroused  bylshot  if  possible,  orders  were  given  to  get  the  square-sail 
sail  close  onlaloft,  ease  oflf  the  main-sheet,  and  run  the  long  nine- 
immediately llpoimder  aft.     These  orders  were   instantly  executed; 
and  was  closeiuid,  with  the  additional  press  of  canvass,  she,  like  a  dol- 
ihin  when  hard  chased  by  the  ravenous  shark,  seemed 
jump  out  of  the  water ;  for  she  was  now  running  off 
velve  knots,  and  the  pirate,  as  the  shark,  sped  on  in 
U  chase,  under  a  cloud  of  sail,  keeping  up  the  while 
brisk  fire  with  single  shot;  but  as  the  distance  be» 


G10U9   SCENE 


so  now,  the 
t  and  anxiety 
prominent  of 
diiUcuU  navi- 
[   peril  while 
.se  embairass- 
;  my  physical 
lly.      On    the 
id  while  cross- 
y  sail  at  night, 

eing  overbuv- 
ntil  midnight. 

trict  orders  to 

shoal,  but  also 


ras 


liuier 


I'h  which  I  wasi 
[whizzing  aboufl 
The  strangej 
ted  one  of   M 
iraft  that  I  m 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Photographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STMIT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  USSO 

(716)S73-4S03 


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ZB6 


LIFE    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


.1 


tween  us  was  increasing  every  moment,  and  the  pirate, 
no  doubt,  becoming  exasperated  at  our  superior  sailing, 
yawed,  and  gave  us  his  whole  broadside,  which  cut 
away  the  lower  studding-sail  boom,  and  one  shot  passed 
through  our  square-sail.  This  was  his  last  success ;  for 
by  the  time  he  hauled  up  again  in  our  wake,  and  fired 
his  next  shot,  it  fell  short  of  the  mark.  Then  we  re- 
turned his  coaxing  civilities  in  compliments  of  his  own 
heart's  choice,  by  letting  him  have  a  shot  from  our  long 
nine-pounder.  It  could  not  be  ascertained  whether  the 
return-favor  did  execution,  or  was  pocketed  as  a  gross 
affront ;  but,  nevertheless,  the  wild  steering  which  fol- 
lowed was  conclusive  that  the  pirate  must  have  been 
thrown  into  confusion  by  some  circumstance  transpiring 
at  the  moment  when  we  fired.  In  fifteen  minutes  from 
this  time  we  were  far  beyond  the  reach  of  his  shot,  and' 
continued  to  run  under  a  press  of  canvass  during  the 
remainder  of  the  nighc.  The  next  morning  our  unwel- 
come companion,  the  pirate,  was  not  to  be  seen. 

This  voyage  was  eoncltided'  in  safety,  notwithstand- 
ing there  were  many  circumstances  connected  with  it 
of  an  exceedingly  perilous  character.  The  unerring 
hand  of  Providence  was  always  stretched  forth  to  deliver 
me,  not  only  from  butchery  of  the  pirate,  but  also  from 
the  appalling  storms  with  which  we  had-  to  eont^nd  on 
the  coast  of  America. 

I*  may  be  worthy   of  remark  —  as  has  before  been 
hinted  at — that  the  same  crew  and  officers,  with  thcj 
exception  of  one,  remained  with  me  during  five  succes- 
sive  voyages,   notwithstanding   so   much   hazard   wasj 
oonneoted'  with  them.     Indeed,  the  moral  state  of  feel- 
ing which  seemed  to  have  taken  hold  of  the  seameDJ 
was  as  remarkable  as  it  was  gratifying.     Feartess  in  the! 
hour   of  danger,  they  were   consistent   and  serious  idI 
those  hours  iset  apart  for  devotional  exercises ;  and  at  thel 
same  time,  they  were  under  the  most  perfect  stale  oft 
discipline,  as  their  coolness  and  intvepidity  exhibited,  inl 
the  many  trying  circumstances  which  we  were  called| 
upon  to  pass  through,  and  as  will  be  further  seen  b] 
(he  following  narration. 


,  and  the  pirate, 
superior  sailing, 
dde,  which  cut 
one  shot  passed 
ast  success ;  for 
wake,  and  fired 

Then  we  re- 
itits  of  his  own 
)t  from  our  long 
ed  whether  the 
:eted  as  a  gross 
ring  which  fol- 
nust  have  been 
ance  transpiring 
sn  minutes  from 
of  his  shot,  and' 
ivass  during  the 
ning  our  unwel- 
be  seen. 

f,  notwithstand- 
nnected  with  it 

The  unerring 
\  forth  to  deliver 
te,  but  also  from 
id'  to  eont^nd  on 

has  befdre  been 
fficers,  with  the 
ring  five  succes- 
ich  hazard  was 
ral  state  of  feel- 
[  of  the  seamen 
Feartess  in  thei 
;  and  serious  ioj 
zises ;  and  at  thei 
perfect  stale  of 
lity  exhibited,  in 
we  were  calledl 
further  seen  b] 


"••E   0»  THE   OCE^K.  ^ 

■P  «.e  peri,    ,  incil/m  Which  Vl"''r  "^  «ny  v  s^l 

S  ^  ^^"'^  »'a'«<J,  being  rearfvf       ^^  "?  situation  • 
I  '"»  of  my  papers,  I  went  onTiT^    '  ^^  '^''h  the  excen-' 
Ae  sea  breeze,  in  enS  °"  *ore  m  the  afternoon^^-g^ 
which  generally  sets  in  1  ^    offvrith  the  land  brel« 
pad  not  been  many  mi„?,t"'- •"°. °''='»<=k  at  nigir  i 
h  consignee,  when  a  s"om  W  T^'^S-ho""'  of 
Pwance  of  a  seaman  enti^-i  ^Pa?'a«l.  bearing  the  an- 
»ade  the  foUowW 'Xm?n»''  *?^'. '^'"8  Mr.  M  apS" 
»ed«tely  communlatedtoS^r'^';''''.  ^hich  was^l' 

tet 'K -^^°  ^^;d^d  eS;i  »„^ 

J«  board  would  not  b  awa^^nnti".'''''  ^<'a„se^h^s^ 
F  ^I'se  would  be  unprerare/ .  ^'a''°'i«al  plot,  and 
Hp'ion.  The  sea  bre^rstill  h.  ^'^'  "'«™  ^  P^o^r 
Impossible  to  bm  ««•  ■  '"  Wowinff  fresh    it  ,.^ 

N-.  Th^re'wa,''^,  L,7c.r  h'""'  -" "'bm  .^o' 
h'<>ng.ng  to  a  French  ship  IhLr  ^'i'^  "«  hands 
Fig.  I  made  application  to  th,  '"5'  '^^  <>"'  in  the 
hhore,  to  let  thfe^boa^^'^e  ''l^':^^'"''» '^a' then 


■fl:-i-| 


f  ;:;rt 


358 


LIFE    ON  THE   OCEAN. 


her  own  vessel  immediately.  So  far,  then,  all  was  yet 
well.  As  soon  as  I  had  made  known  to  the  officers  and 
crew  the  sanguinary  plot  which  was  about  to  be  enact- 
ed, the  anchor  was  lifted,  and  our  position  altered  by 
running  half  a  mile  out  to  seaward.  The  anchor  was 
then  let  go  under  foot,  and  the  sails  lowered  down,  but 
not  furled.  The  two  long  nine-pounders  were  loaded 
nearly  up  to  their  muzzles  with  langrage  and  grape 
shot,  and  all  the  small  arms,  such  as  muskets,  pistols, 
cutlasses,  &c.,  were  mustered  on  deck.  Supposing  they 
would  attack  us  simultaneously  ahead  and  astern,  one 
of  the  long  nines  was  run  aft  and  the  other  forward, 
with  an  equal  division  of  the  small  arms,  as  well  as  the 
boarding  pikes,  among  the  men.  These  preparations 
being  made,  the  lights  were  all  extinguished  except  two 
matches,  which  could  not  be  seen,  and  then  all  hands 
were  summoned  to  the  quarter  deck. 

"My  lads,"  said  I,  "since  we  have  been  together  in 
this  vessel,  we  have  been  called  upon  to  pass  through  | 
many  perilous  scenes,  and  I  have  never  had  any  reason, 
so  far,  to  doubt  your  firmness  and  courage.     You  will 
probably  again  be  called  upon  to-night  to  defend  this  i 
vessel ;  her  safety  and  our  lives  depending  upon  your 
firmness  and  good  conduct.     These  cowardly  Spaniards 
suppose  they  will  fall  upon  us  unawares,  and  thereby 
we  shall  become  easy  victims  to  their  treachery.     I  hope! 
to  prove  this  night,  that  American  seamen  ar»-  -^ot  only! 
alert,  but  also  fully  competent  to  beat  off  thes       stardlyl 
marauders,  although  they  may  far  exceed  us  iu  iiambersj 
I  expect  they  will  come  upon  us  head  and  stern ;  there- 
fore, we  will  divide  ourselves  into  equal  parties ;  Mr.  W.,1 
the  chief  officer,  will  take  command  of  the  forecastle,  and) 
I  will  look  out  for  the  quarter  deck.     Let  there  be  no 
confusion  or  disorder,  and  not  a  shot  be  fired,  untilj 
orders  are  given  to  that  effect ;  after  which,  you  are  to 
load  and  fire  the  small  arms  with  all  possible  rapidity] 
Should  the  Spaniards  succeed  in  getting  alongside,  th{ 
boarding  pikes  and  sabres  are  your  best  weapons ;  so  us 
them  freely.     If  the  breeze  should  spring  up,  we  will 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


359 


slip  and  get  under  way.  Away,  then,  to  your  quarters 
forward  and  aft,  and  let  every  man,  this  night,  prove  him* 
self  to  be  an  American  seaman." 

In  a  few  minutes,  the  most  profound  silence  prevailed 
throughout  the  vessel.  It  wa3  a  clear  starlight  night, 
scarcely  a  cloud  was  seen,  and  to  seaward  the  horizon 
was  well  defined.  In  such  a  night,  objects  might  be 
distinguished  at  a  long  distance.  No  sound  was  heard 
except  the  reverberation  of  the  roaring  surf,  or  the  skip- 
ping of  a  porpoise,  which  ever  and  anon  disturbed  the 
surface  of  the  waters  by  a  deep  splash,  or  the  faint 
moans,  through  the  rigging,  of  the  expiring  sea-breeze. 
Eleven  o'clock  had  already  passed  away  ;  it  was  an 
hour  of  deep  suspense  and  the  most  intense  anxiety.  I 
had  swept  around  the  horizon  with  the  night-glass 
during  the  last  half  hour,  but  no  object  was  visible. 
Now,  reflection,  busy  with  the  past,  brought  in  review 
before  me  the  period  when  I  first  embarked  to  undergo 
„^»..  —o  .  _the  perils  of  a  sea  life.     How  many  dangers  and  trying 

to  pass  througnB^jl^.yjjjgg  jj  ^^^  been  my  lot  to  encounter!  how  many 
r  had  any  reason,  ■  hair-breadth  escapes  had  I  passed  unscathea !  — amid  the 
rage.     You  wi  ■  storms,  the  battles,  at   the   cannon's  mouth,  in  earth- 
.t  to  defend  *"^^lquakes,  in  prisons,  in  pestilence,  at  times  when,  at  sea, 
nding  upon  Y®^  Inearly  deprived  of  food  and  water ;  and  last,  though  not 
wardly  ^P^^^'l   lleast,  among  pirates :  and  yet,  out  of  all  these  I  had  been 
lares,  and  thereDy|jgjj^g^gj      This  thouffht  o\ 
reachery.     1  tiope 

len  ar^ 
jffthes       SI 
led  v-s  iu  iiumbers. 

and  stem;  there- 
parties;  Mr.  vv. 
Iihe  forecastle,  and| 

Let  there  be  nf 

I  be  fired,  until 

^hich,  you  are  t- 

possible  rapidity 

ing  alongside,  tlv 
weapons ;  so  us 
jring  up,  we  -" 


n,  all  was  yet 
he  officers  and 
t  to  be  enact- 
ion altered  by 
he  anchor  was 
ered  down,  but 
rs  were  loaded 
age  and  grape 
auskets,  pistols, 
Supposing  they 
and  astern,  one 
i  other  forward, 
s,  as  well  as  the 
lese  preparations 
ished  except  two 
1  then  all  hands 

been  together  in 


Jdelivered.     This  thought  overpowered  me  with  a  deep 
'^"risense  of  gratitude ;  and  although  my  present  situation 
^^ -ii^liras  perilous  in  the  extreme,  yet  a  voice  whispered,  all 
taraiy^^^^j^  yet  be  well. 

At  midnight,  while  ranging  along  the  horizon  with 

e  glass,  I  saw  two  vessels,  the  one  exactly  ahead  and 

le  other  astern;   the   headmost  vessel  being   at  the 

eatest  distance.     As  it  was  now  perfectly  calm,  and 

the  distance  was  lessening  every  moment  between 

it  was  apparent  they  were  using  their  sweeps.     I 

as  not  mistaken  in  the  opinion  entertained  as  to  their 

lanner  of  attack.     The  moment  of  trial  was  at  hand, 

ir  the  sternmost  vessel  was  within  gun-shot,  pulling 

^jl|trectly  in  our  wake,  apparently  approaching  us  with 


360 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


great  caution ;  the  one  ahead  was  at  a  much  greater 
distance.  Orders  were  now  given  to  run  the  guns  out 
of  the  stern  and  bow  ports,  elevate  them  with  precision, 
and  let  the  matches  be  ready ;  to  see  that  the  small 
arms  and  ammunition  were  all  in  readiness,  so  that  there 
should  be  no  confusion  ;  and  then  all  hands  were  or- 
dered aft,  that  proper  respect  might  be  paid  to  the  gen- 
tlemen who  came  to  visit  us  at  so  unseasonable  an  hour 
of  the  night.  These  orders  were  quickly  executed. 
The  pirate  was  now  within  two  musket-shot. 

"  Are  you  all  ready  ?  " 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir !  "  was  the  reply. 

I  buckled  on  my  cartridge-box,  thrust  my  pistols  into 
the  belt,  and  grasped  a  long  sabre.  I  saw  the  pirate  was 
now  pulling  rapidly  towards  us,  being,  at  this  moment, 
but  a  musket-shot  off. 

"Is  the  gun  elevated,  and  are  you  ready?"  The 
affirmative  was  given.  "  Fire ! "  At  the  same  moment 
we  received  their  fire  of  musketry,  which  was  returned 
in  rapid  succession  by  our  men.  The  pirate  was  now 
close  under  the  quarter;  but  the  screams  of  the  wounded, 
and  the  groans  of  the  dying,  from  our  galling  fire,  gave 
him  a  severe  check.  He  hesitated  —  not  a  moment  was 
now  to  be  lost.  We  followed  up  this  advantage  by 
pouring  volley  after  volley,  in  a  most  galling  fire,  with  | 
musketry  and  pistols.  He  was  thrown  into  confusion,  i 
and  backed  off  with  his  oars.  When  about  three 
lengths  of  the  schooner  from  us,  the  pirate  pulled  the 
head  of  his  vessel  round,  and  gave  way  with  all  possible 
despatch  towards  the  shore,  so  as  to  get  out  of  the  reach  | 
of  our  guns. 

It  was  now  high  time  to  look  after  the  unwelcomel 
visitor  ahead.  There  he  lay,  about  half  gun-shot  oiffj 
apparently  upon  his  oars — ^waiting,  no  doubt,  to  ascertainl 
the  result  of  his  comrade's  reception,  not  caring  to  be  inl 
the  vicinity  of  such  hot  work  as  had  been  going  on  fori 
the  last  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes.  A  shot  from  our| 
bow  gun,  however,  disturbed  his  repose;  and,  as 
doubtless  thought  that  the  better  part  of  valor  was  dis-l 


'•'FE    ON   TBE    OCEAJT. 


36t 


were  utterly'  conffarS  Id    ?""  ^^'P^^'Wio/s,  they 

Thus  e'*?^, '«'«-«<'   'he  corned  JT  «'<>  "oofeion 
inus  ended  one  of  the  m™.  »,    7   "'    °"'"  'one  nine 

W  succeeded)  that  was  e.t  ZtS"^  '»'«»•'»"»  "^^ 
Jne  next  morning  I  went  »lf       ?  '"^  "»«  or  demon 

^J  the  craft  that^ad  p"Utd  t  f"  ^  '^'*'^"  "'i 
the  previous  nieht    Sh^,  ^  unwelcome  a  vkit™. 

*ot ;  but  I  CO*  id  nof  »  ""  «»»Pletely  riddled  luhTr 

wounded:  it  mu^,"°i^*"^"'  ">«  'oss  of  kilfed   °  rf 
ber  of  men  on  tt"^  ^een  considerable,  from  then  ™^ 

I  ^o4  Kdt^at  an^'ija'drr  *^'^'^  «Nred  on 
P^tJcal  marauders.  The  vovat  '*"  '"  ">is  nest  rf 
hd  we  embarked  once  m^rXH '^'''^  """"'"M 
Ihat  It  would  be  the  lastdme  1,,  T'^^h  desired 
acquMntance  with  the  ^ra  !^  ^^  ""*  ^^°'^^  ""^ke  our 
oombmed  circumsianceThad  '^/^f^'^'^ly  M  all  the^ 

hy  physical  frame,  that  fh:  f  ^^  »°  Powerfully  „^^    , 
come  greatly  impaired       .L  '«'"'  "^  "'^on  hkdT" 

hspi.0,  and  Liiy^^^~:°''^'^'^iy.  i  needed  som, 

J   Numerous,  however   a,  Lj  v 

pnvations  connected  tviththesbv^vL"'"  ^"«'''  «»-« 
lalso  very  many  cirenm«»i„       ''oyages,  yet  there  were 

l^nd    the   most   SnL  ^^  "''"'=''  ^ad  left  on  my 
hong  the  more  SoSml  ^1!"^^'"S   ™floctio"s! 
|j«>Hs  impressionsTaSTeel  m!^*^  "'*V™'"«'  ^^  reli 
hw,  giving  the  mosTsatTsLZv  "V^"  "'"*'  "<■  «"« 
hoas  treatment,  little  d|culv  ^iIT*  """'  '''^  J'- 
l»  convince  seamen  of  their  Sum  i  .^*  ^^Po^enced 
hrce  of  pleasing  reiiection  ZTtt^T"^-    ^n^ho' 
"nth  which  the  Sabbath  rvsT^'**^  "'^^^  *"<»  d««orum 
""^r  he  uninteres.t/-rS:;-^and,^a. 


362 


LirS   ON  THE    OCEAN. 


•n* 


easily  a  sailor  may  be  trained  to  attend  to  the  forms  of 
religion,  at  sea,  permit  me  to  give  you  a  description  of  a 
Sabbath  day's  devotions,  in  the  latitude  of  28°  north,  and 
73°  west  longitude. 

The  morning  dawn  broke  forth  from  the  eastern 
horizon ;  and,  as  the  rising  sun  advanced,  the  stronger 
light  scattered  the  mists  of  darkness ;  and  when  the 
glorious  orb  presented  its  upper  limb,  the  clouds  dis- 
persed, exhibiting  to  tlie  eye  an  unbroken  contact  of 
sky  and  ocean.  It  was  a  sight  that  would  have  ravished 
the  astonishing  powers  of  Raphael's  pencil.  Briskly 
blew  the  north-east  trade  wind,  and  lightly  flew  our 
beautiful  craft  over  the  bosom  of  the  smooth  blue  ocean. 
The  scene  before  me,  in  connection  with  the  wind  and 
the  weather,  and  the  rapid,  though  almost  noiseless 
movement  of  our  craft,  all  conspired  to  induce  happy, 
yet  solemn  and  devotional  feelings.  Over  the  whole 
expanse  of  the  wide  waste  of  waters,  nothing  was  to 
be  seen  except,  now  and  then,  a  porpoise  jumping  and 
plunging  into  the  deep  abyss ;  or  the  affrighted  flying- 
fish,  disturbed  by  the  breaking  of  the  water  at  the  bows, 
appearing  to  be  more  like  the  inhabitants  of  the  air  than 
belonging  to  the  finny  tribe;  or  the  Mother  Carey's 
chicken,  with  buoyant  wing  and  twittering  voice,  seem- 
ing, with  its  elastic  tread  upon  the  fluid  surface,  as  much 
at  ease  as  if  it  stood  upon  a  solid  base,  gathering  what, 
p'=5'-chance,  might  fall  from  the  vessel,  to  satisfy  its 
cravings. 

Seven  bells  were  struck  —  the  hour  for  rousing  thb 
watch  below  to  breakfast.  The  decks  had  been  scrubbed 
and  washed  the  night  previously,  and  were  so  clean, 
and  white,  that  you  might  have  spread  the  bleached 
damask  cloth  on  them  for  a  morning's  repast,  without 
danger  of  its  being  soiled.  The  breakfast  now  being 
past,  the  awning  was  spread  over  the  whole  length  of 
the  quarter  deck,  as  a  screen  from  the  scorching  rays  of 
the  sun.  At  10  o'clock  precisely'",  tlie  crew  were  all 
summoned  to  the  quarter  deck ;  theke  you  might  have! 
seen  ten  stout,  able  seamen,  with  faces  that  had  beenl<^scr 


to  the  forms  of 

description  of  a 

if  28°  north,  and 

om  the  eastern 
ed,  the  stronger 
and  when  the 
the  clouds  dis- 
)ken  contact  of 
Id  have  ravished 
pencil.  Briskly 
lightly  flew  our 
ooth  blue  ocean, 
h  the  wind  and 
almost  noiseless 
[>  induce  happy, 
Over  the  whole- 
nothing  was  to 
ise  jumping  and 
iffrighted  flying' 
ater  at  the  bows, 
ts  of  the  air  than 
Mother  Carey's 
ing  voice,  seem- 
surface,  as  much 
gathering  what, 
1,  to  satisfy  its 

for  rousing  thu 
id  been  scrubbed 
I  were  so  clean 
ad  the  bleached 
J  repast,  without 
kfast  now  being 
ivhole  length  of 
corching  rays  of 
e  crew  were  alii 
you  might  have 
3  that  had  been 


"^E    ON   THE    OCEA».  ,., 

bronzed  with  ih«  .     >  ' 

pecially  the  first  officer  \Jh       °'  "»em  responded  m 
««f' ed;  afterwhich TU    .    "^P*^"*  'o   be  SX 
and  adverted  to,  byclntT'  '"  *«  ^'We  wm  ^Jj 

■gat.ons  to  Almighty  G^''?ff.P«'nting  out  theiTo^ 

their  exposures.    I  showed  .^    '"^P'otection  amM  aU 

.pru.e,p,es  of  gratitude^^t  ?iT,  t  fr^''^'^  tSe 

Md  happiness,  to  repent  oHe^r  5     ""*"■  '""'  ^f^ty 

«?rifice  of  their  heart.  »„Vr      *'?*'  S'^^^  «»  God  the 

»;gh«  be  pt^pared  .ol'e5r:^e  JfSV,'},  '"''"  ">«  'W 
™at  the  cora^  pjHow  an/.l         ,  5^  ">*  ""e  to  denart  • 
have  no  terrors  fo   them     tZ"^-  ^""ding-sheet  S,' 
««rcises  had  a  most  ^SwerTulTfl-r'""'  •"'"'8''  ^^^ 
the  seamen,  and  were  aJ  ,„„.    ""**'  "P""  the  minds  of 
and  prayer.'         ^^'^  """""y^  concluded  with  sfnging 

mind,Tut'',rrnd  ^on  'SJ"''  '=»'°Pamtive  ease  of 

«wse  scenes  of  exei?emeM^Xch  °hJl?  '"^  ""='»"y  "f 
wrought  on  my  niinr?  ,«  ;u  "  '^^  so  powerfrllw 
was  it  long  before^  1         ^^®  P^^^^ding  vovZs    „  ^ 

N;h,le  the  pirate  was  in  chL  T"*.*  man-of-war  brg 
'he  pirate  was  also  given  ,'  "^  «'"•"«  description "f 
»ehad  passed  theltoubl   ?  "j' X**»^«s^I     ^U'ter 

Jght  in  the  morning  a  yi^f^"*  ^hot-Keys,  at  llyl 

K"P"on  of  the  '^irat^l^L,  ~af  "f^"^  *°  *« 
I  r  wds  seen,  about  two  miles 


364 


Lire    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


tm* 


it    .:i 

ili  !; 

t  ■ 
Iff  1 


astern.  For  a  short  t>me  she  gained  upon  ns  rapidly, 
insomuch  that  we  distinctly  made  her  out  to  be  a  vessel 
of  war,  and  in  chase  of  us. 

Thus  far,  we  neither  had  the  square-sail  nor  studding^ 
sail  on  the  scliooner.  It  was,  however,  now  high  time 
to  try  our  rates  of  speed,  for  no  doubt  remained  but 
that  the  stranger  in  chase  was  the  pirate  Oibbs ;  accord- 
ingly, our  craft  was  dressed  with  all  the  canvass  that 
eould  be  set,  and  hauled  up  so  that  every  sail  would 
draw  on  the  starboard  tack.  The  pirate  was  no  laggard. 
Hour  after  hour  passed,  and  no  perceptible  difference 
was  discovered  in  the  sailing  of  the  two  vessels.  She 
was  nearly  within  gun-shot,,  and  it  became  absolutely 
necessary,  for  our  safety,  that  the  pirate  should  be  kept 
at  that  distance,  so  that  he  might  not  cripple  us  by  cut- 
ting away  any  of  our  spars.  Sometimes  he  appeared  to 
overhaul  us,  and  then  again  it  was  evident  we  had 
gained  upon  him.  It  was  a  fair  trial  of  speed,  and  the 
most  equal  chase  that  I  had  ever  witnessed,  apart  from 
the  design  of  the  one  and  the  wishes  of  the  other. 
When,  the  breeze  would  freshen  astern,  he  ranged  up 
within  gun-shot;  but  evidently  supposing  that  he  would 
at  length  overhaul  us,  he  did  not  fire  his  bow-chaser, 
Icnowing  that  it  would  have  given  us  the  advantage. 

At  meridian,  it  could  not  be  ascertained  that  either 
vessel  had  the  advantage  in  saiHng ;  but  the  wind  now 
began  to   slacken  its  force ;  and  as,  in  a  light  breeze, 
nothing  that  was  ever  built  could,  probably,  sail  faster 
than  this  beautiful  craft,  it  became  evident  that   shei 
was  stealing  kv^ay  from  the  pirate.     Exasperated,  no 
doubt,  at  the  prospect    of  losing  his  prey,  he  opened 
a  brisk  canno^iade  upon  us;  but  it  was  in  vain;  fori 
every  shot  fell  short  of  the  schooner,  and  every  dis- 
charge from  his  guns  slackened  his  speed,  and*gave  usl 
a  corresponding  advantage.     At  sunset,  we  had  gained! 
about  one  mile,  and  when  the  night  set  in,  he  was  stitlj 
in  chase.     As  we  had  been  steering  our  course  during! 
the  whole  day,  I  did  not  think  it  proper  to  change  it  atl 
^i^ht,  and  continued  to  run  under  a  heavy  press  of  saiil 


■u 


pon  lis  rapidly, 
It  to  be  a  vessel 

il  nor  studding- 
now  high  time 
t  remained  but 
I  Oibbs ;  accord- 
lie  canvass  that 
rery  sail  would 
was  no  laggard. 
>tible  difference 

0  vessels.  She 
!ame  absolutely 

should  be  kept 
ipple  us  by  cut- 

1  he  appeared  to 
evident  we  had 
'  speed,  and  the 
ssed,  apart  from 
»  of  the  other, 
i,  he  ranged  up 
g  that  he  would 
his  bow-chaser, 
e  advantage, 
ined  that  either 
t  the  wind  now 

a  light  breeze, 
)ably,  sail  faster 
trident  that  she 
Exasperated,  no 
)rey',  he  opened 
as  in  vain;  for 

and  every  dis- 

led,  and*gave  usl 

we  had  gained 

in,  he  was  stillj 
r  course  during 

to  change  it  atl 
vy  press  pf  saii.! 


"'*    ON    THE    OCEAN.  3^^ 

Wow  strong,  i,d  ?„?  'c^T"''^"''  *<=-.  «  'he^W 
«  the  me  of  t,.elve  Cf.  *?f  '~''°<'»8  over  .he  «a 
most  splendid  chase  •  Md  7  t  '^^  '  '>»^>  aithouBh^ 
terminated,  if  welad^oVa^r  "."5  '«»'*"'oWve 

molestation,  and  diwh^L^  ^*»'w««on  without  further 
took  on  b<iud  tw^ve^h^  our  ca,s;o  at  two  port,  th™ 
Pr~=eeded  to  Sisi^where  "T?  ''•'"«"  '"  «^S  Md 
»d  grass  hemp,  for  Hail!?  '~^  ^  «  caigo  of  b^ii^** 

I  f  the  latter  ^rt,  di^S'^^.^  '°  •'>«e  days  S^' 
l«fge  offer  for  the  MhZS  k"**  ""8"'  ""J,  haZT  » 
"fders, and  I  took^^^^r &,«"«  '""''  """ordi,^  ,0 

I  ^fy,  July  20th,  1826  ^"»»<"e,  where  I  aref^^ 

je.a!'rmtrh^o„tt"-!Sr"^ry  that  active  med- 

nsion  as  the  sight  had  Sml     ^°'  *''«  «''«f  of  my 

ZJ'^  r"  entertained  on,sl.^"f  '"^""^  «"« 
nnoonvmced,  and  would  nnf  Jni    •    ""  '"'SJ  J'^t  I  was 

vamly  supposing  that  the  Ws  on f^l'"  '^'"'  *''^^^^, 
I  went  to  sea.    Kverv  «mnn«    "'"^  «*'  stronger  when 
friends  to  deter  me  SZCt"""'  '^'^  "^d  bjTmr 
>fore  I  had  submitted  ,0  tfc^'*""  ""  the  <Je"n! 
[restore  my  sigh,.    But  I  was  voTnt"'  "'5'»nn,ended  to 
I Wities  accumulating  everTdavT^ '  ""'' "y  ^'Ponsi- 
*ould  be  employed  tHZ,'^'  *  *»«  necessary  that  T 
'ol^ed  upon  me.    I'was    h1rl"''/^l.'"'<»'«  '^hlh  de- 
k  my  friends,  and  mX^ZZ'a^t'^  ">  •"«  ^ntreatt 
kase  to^the  Braeils,  in^  Z''^SZ\T:Z     ' 


3616 


,|Ulf  S   Off    JHti    OCEAN. 


'       P 


II     I 


;i  i' 


beautiful  dipp«r  brig  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  tons^ 
burden.  Alas!  how  short-sighted  is  man!  From  tlie 
stubbornness  of  this  proceeding,  years  of  suffering  and 
sorrow  have  marked  my  path  in  life. 

Sept.  13.  -^  The  brig  was  loaded,  and  ready  for  sea, 
bound  on  a  running  voyage  to  Rio  de  Janeiro.     We 
sailed ;  and,  after  a  short  riui,  reached  the  Capes,  dis- 
charged the  pilot,,  and  went  to  sea,  with  a  strong  gale 
from  the  south-west,  with  cloudy  weather.     For  five 
days  the  wind  blew  strong  and  fair,  and  no  opportunity 
had  offered  to  get  a  meridian  observation.     On  the  sixth 
day,  however^  the  weather  became  clear,  the  sun  shone 
brilliantly,  and  its  rays  sent  forth  an  unusual  degree  of 
heat.     Although  I  had  perceived  that  my  vision  had 
become  more  and  more  obscure,  nevertheless,  as  this 
was  the  first  opportunity,  since:  leaving  the  Capes,  to  get 
the  sun's  altitude,  and  being  very  anxious  to  determine 
the  latitude,  the  quAdrant  was  adjusted,  and  the  dark 
screen-glass  put  down,  so  as  to  prevent  the  glare  of  the 
sun  from  striking  upon  the  eye.     When  the  sun  was 
brought  down  midway  from  its  height  to  the  horizon, 
the  sight  of  the  right  eye  was  instantaneously  discov- 
ered to  be  gone,     flUy  feelings  can  be  better  imagined 
than  described.    We  were  now  about  one  thousand  miles 
from  the  Capes,  and  the  success  of  tlie  voyage  depended 
entirely  on  its  despatch.     To  return  would  ruin  the 
voyage ;  and  to  proceed  on  for  so  long  a  tim»,  without  { 
medical  treatment,  might  cause  the  entire  loss  of  sight. 
In  this  sad  dUemma,  however,  I  resolved  to  prosecute] 
the  voyage,  especially  as  there  was  an  ample  medicine- 
chest  on  boards    I  immediately  commenced  an  activel 
self-treatment.     Sa4  and  sorrowful  were  the  hours  dur-f 
ing  the  remainder  of  this  passage.     All  efforts  that  were) 
made  to  restore  the  right  eye  proved  fruitless ;  and  the 
keenest  anguish  was^  experienced  when  the  horriblej 
truth  flashed  over  my  n>ind,  that  the  renoainder  of  m) 
days  would  be  spent  in  darkness,  from  the  fact,  whicl 
could  not  now  be  concealed,  that  the  sight  of  the  leff 
eye  was  din^inishing  every  day  —  insomuch  that,  whe 


i  and  fifty  tons^ 
nan!  From  tlte 
of  suflering  and 

id  ready  for  sea, 
le  Janeiro.     We 
the  Capes,  dis- 
h  a  strong  gale 
at  her.     For  five 
I  no  opportunity 
n.     On  the  sixth 
r,  the  sun  shone 
usual  degree  of 
my  vision  had 
rtheless,  as  this 
the  Capes,  to  get 
us  to  determine 
1,  and  the  dark 
the  glare  of  the 
en  the  sun  was 
to  the  horizon, 
aneously  discov- 
better  imagined 
» thousand  miles 
royage  depended 
would  ruin  the 
a  time,  without 
re  loss  of  sight, 
'^ed  to  prosecute 
imple  medicine 
enced  an  active 
»  the  hours  dur 
efforts  that  werel 
uitless;  and  th 
en  the  horribl 
snoainder  of  m 
the  fact,  whic 
sight  of  the  lef^ 
luch  that,  wh 


*•"*    ^^'Hlf    OCEAX. 


command  onuT'Cl-'^^^y  <""«««»  «o  g.Ve  ,h<. 

a^at  IV*!?  P^o  ^"^     BmuTf  of  self-,„at 

I  on  account  nf  /k    •  '^^^®''  part  of  no««  t~*»«se  oi 

■"ore  in  the  st^e  VLt    '^^'''  ""d  proce^  t'Ll"' 

on  thi,  K    1   ^'*®   desolating  hand  Vr?^ '^'"^^''s  now 
W  emaciated  frame^"'*""'  ""^'^  f'««"«e4  a.,  eSi^Wed 


368 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


heart,  and  have  read  the  painful  exercises  of  a  mind 
immersed  in  sorrow,  contemplating  the  cheerless  pros- 
pect of  the  future,  compelled  to  pursue  a  path  of  dark- 
ness and  dreariness,  and  excluded  from  all  the.  beauties 
which  nature's  variety  present,  —  could  you  have  beheld 
that  trembling  form,  not  crushed  by  the  pressure  of  age, 
but  reduced  by  corroding  care  and  wasting  disease,  — 
nature's  sensibilities  would  have  aroused  all  its  sym- 
pathies, and  the  falling  tear  might  have  dropped  mire- 
proved.  Now  follows  the  sad  condition  of  deep  de- 
^  pendence,  and  the  appalling  connecting  circuir'=?tances,  to 
be  dreaded  by  every  sensitive  mind,  — «r  such  as  unmean- 
ing sympathy,  niortifications  of  wounded  sensibilities, 
inability  to  discharge  social  and  relative  responsibilities, 
pinchings  of  poverty,  and  many  other  shocks  of  chill- 
ing import,  peculiar  to  that  condition.  This  combina- 
tion of  woes  gave  a  settled  appearance  of  dejection  and 
sadness ;  while  on  every  lineament  of  the  countenance 
were  visibly  depicted  the  deep  furrows  of  adversity. 
Nature,  after  repeated  struggles  during  a  lapse  of  fifteen 
years,  gradually  yielded ;  and  sorrow,  being  refined  and 
sublimeCted  by  the  powerful  aid  of  religion,  patiently 
submitted  to  its  lot ;  and  now,  when  a  smile  lights  up 
the  care-worn  brow,  you  may  there  read  the  workings 
of  a  grateful  heart,  and  the  persuasion  of  a  contempla- 
tive mind,  that  firmly  believes  that  all  is  for  the  best, 
and  that  "  there  is  nothing  true  but  heaven." 


,A-^. 


^        t  if  *      -A  "^ 


cent] 

inatt( 

that 

tion's 

I  the  SI 

(of  e\ 

Imansi 


i  .%■' 


369 


ij  Ikr 


es  of  a  mind 
heerless  pros- 
path  of  dark- 
l  the  beauties 
lU  have  beheld 
iressure  of  age, 
ing  disease, — 
d  all  its  sym- 
dropped  unre- 
n  of  deep  de- 
rcuir'=5tances,  to 
Lich  as  unmean- 
ed  sensibilities, 
responsibilities, 
shocks  of  chill- 
This  combina- 
af  dejection  and 
the  countenance 
jiTS  of  adversity. 
L  lapse  of  fifteen 
>eing  refined  and 
sligion,  patiently 
1  smile  lights  up 
lad  the  workings 
of  a  contempla- 
is  for  the  best, 


if  it. 

>   .Ht 

-;.  j 

"'  ''..r^.ii    ^■''>  •'■:i,<;--<: 

h- 

-iU 

".A**,  t       ■    ,    . 

:"^'.-i4-i.t-',i 

I'^tjt 

■>$::ii 

--,.1 

r     ^*tio-^f-^,ii  .>•• 

•  \ 

i-'^f^^ 

?   -y^'-  \ 

',.fS};ji 

'■^"mA 

■  i     ^  r  ";.r;  ,-;/■•'•  .,:=>.    >. 

-';  i 

■'p 

i"-'j;/- 

/'Mnv'i.j 

ren. 


)} 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

REFLECTIONS  ON    THE   CHARACTER  AND   CONDITION   OF  SEAMEN. 

Not  many  years  have  elapsed  since  sailors  were  con- 
sidered a  class  of  isolated  beings,  scarcely  worthy  to  be 
ranked  among  the  lowest  and  most  degraded  of  human 
kind;  — ^-when  it  might  truly  have  been  said,  that  " no 
man  cared  "  either  for  their  souls  or  their  bodies ;  and, 
even  up  to  this  hour,  there  are  very  many  in  our  com- 
munity that  look  upon  poor  Jack  as  a  kind  of  wild 
animal,  dangerous  to  society,  and  who  ought  not  to  be 
suffered  to  roam  at  large. 

Although  the  moral  sense  of  the  Christian  public  has 
been  aroused  to  engage  in  the  benevolent  enterprise  of 
meliorating  the  temporal  and  spiritual  condition  of  sea- 
men, yet,  when  this  philanthropic  object  is  presented 
for  the  consideration  of  our  countrymen,  a  vast  majority 
treat  it  as  a  scheme  perfectly  chimerical,  and  they  will 
neither  lend  their  influence,  nor  means,  to  accelerate  this 
praiseworthy  object.  Such  do  not  consider  the  relative 
I  importance  of  seamen,  either  for  the  advancement  of 
commercial  pursuits,  or  for  the  protection  of  our  country's 
rights,  or  for  the  maintenance  of  our  national  h(»nor. 
They  do  not  consider  that  seamen  are  the  great  links  of 
the  chain  which  unites  nation  to  nation,  ocean  to  ocean, 
continent  to  continent,  and  island  to  island ;  and  it  is  a 
matter  of  astonishment,  when  such  people  are  reminded 
that  seamen  are  the  instrumentalities  who  fill  our  na- 
tion's treasury,  enrich  the  coffers  of  the  merchant,  build 
the  stately  warehouses  which  overflow  with  the  fabrics 
lof  every  clime,  erect  the  magnificent  and  splendid 
hnansions  which  beautify  and  adorn  our  seaports,  and 


370 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


0 

0 

e: 
ill 


>^l; 


construct  the  most  beautiful  specimens  of  naval  archi- 
tecture that  float  over  the  ocean.  It  is  seamen  that  give 
employment  to  the  shipwright,  the  ship-joiner,  sail- 
maker,  blacksmith,  blockmaker,  &,c.  In  a  word,  it  is 
seamen  who  must  fulfil  Scripture  prophecy,  by  carrying 
the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  and  planting  the  standard  of 
the  cross  in  the  dark  regions  of  idolatry  and  superstition. 
Yes ;  it  is  by  their  indefatigable  exertions,  that  the  light 
of  the  glorious  gospel  is  to  shine  upon  the  benighted 
hearts  of  the  heathen,  until  this  moral  darkness  shall 
have  been  every  where  dissipated  by  the  rising  beams 
of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness. 

It  must  not   be   understood   that  it   is  meant   that 
sailors  are,  naturally,  better  than  landsmen ;  yet  an  ex- 
perience of  twenty  years  with  their  traits  has  given  me 
an  intimate  knowledge  of  their  character ;  and,  although 
I  am  compelled  to  say  that  there  are  some  among  them 
who  disgrace  human  nature,  yet,  in  general,  they  are 
brave,  generous,  manly,  and  unsuspecting.    The  sailor's 
insight  of  human  nature  is  limited,  and  drawn  altogeth- 1 
er  from  the  objects  constantly  before  him;  he  is  apt| 
to  think  all  mankind  candid,  open,  honest,  and  void  of 
trickery,  because  he  himself  is  so.    Jack  is  unpractised] 
in  the  arts  of  acquiring,  or  preserving,  property,  or  im- 
proving his  condition  in  life.     He  attaches  no  other! 
value  to  money   than  as  a  means  of  procuring  him 
present  enjoyment.     No  class  of  men  obtain  their  little 
money  with  more  hardship  and  difllculty.     This,  onel 
would   think,   would  lead  them  to  estimate  it  at  itsi 
proper  value.     But  such  is  not  the  case.     They  scatter! 
it  with  profuseness,  as  if  they  were  ardently  desirous  off 
getting  rid  of  an  encumbrance ;  and,  consequently,  it  does| 
not  trouble  them  long. 

The  generosity  of  a  sailor  is  proverbial.  AlthoughJ 
he  acquires  his  dollars  amid  toils  and  dangers  froi 
which  a  landsman  would  shrink  with  afi'right,  he  can 
feel  deeply  for  the  wants  of  others,  and  has  a  hand  eveij 
ready  to  assist  the  distressed.  He  will  share  the  last] 
copper  with  the  wretch  who  is  in  need  of  pecuniary 


I 


s  of  naval  archi- 
seamen  that  give 
ship-joiner,  sail- 
In  a  word,  it  is 
lecy,  by  carrying 
ig  the  standard  of 
•  and  superstition. 
}ns,  that  the  light 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCV 


371 


assistance,  and  w.ii         i 

victim  of  oppres^on  'T  ''  "'""^""^  i«  behalf  of  th« 

e-1  conduct'Ko's,  wUro'l"'^  *^"«'  thatU  g fn! 
times  to  turn  awav  froZth         ®?'''*®'  compels  us  often 
naturally  suppose That"'^  ^"  disg.^t ;  ^nd  one  ^ouw" 
er-worn  voyager  wou  d  /«]!        °"^  absence,  the  weath 
which  he  hL'so  Sy  earned'''  '^  '!"'  ^'"^^  P See 

>n  \^^b;n;gS  ir^^sf  i^f  =^^^i:^:s  i"^ 

r:Snrir  fc  s  Stt^ --^^&  'i^^ 

lfk„*         .    "*^  mmd  and  fnmioi^  w  °    ?  a*'  *"®  same 
.   is  mean.  .ha.  Ifotr  3rr-^''' '«  hi™' *  a"^^:  ^  tr'T 

.1.S  has  given  me  land  in.ellec.uBJ     %u'    ,  ""^  ^^Pense  of  all  .hat  i.T^? 
=r;  and,  although  llhe  ocean  is  l,  T^  """"Shtlessness  ofZZ  IT"} 
me  among  them  Iwe  look  at  LT'  ^°"«''".  'o  be  wondered  ^,,    '^ 
general    .hey  are k  life  whi  h  'K'r '  ""<»  ">«  PeShatits?/^  . 
ng.    The  sailor's  lexample  see  .hi,      n '  "^^^  "^  compelled  .o  ImH      i^ 

I  drawn  altoge.hJ„ooriS|;t:„''d'aEtT;''H''  ^'b'ou.lo";    ^  off  C 

I  him;  he  is  aptljrou  mav    ,u„i,  *'^'  Indies;  eo  on  k„.  j        , 

est,  and  void  ofJLugeyllnZtT'  ''^'"«'«  »  doze^n   °le7  '.h"'' 

property,  or  un-lhs,  then   is  thl      u'^    . '  '°"g>  and  thir.v  fe^t  i,r„  j 

..aches  no  ««fe'|.orid-4"onta^^ti  r^f'"  ^"^  t-^^Slf  of  S 

.l.y.     This,  oneL^^^-f^y  f-t  for  the  quarter  d'ejlc";  ?  r  „'ta 
B.ima.e  i.  a.  ilslllowed  to  ^7  /  .      '  ^  ''*"<*  before  the  m,l,    • 
B.     They  sca.te.L  twn  1?  T  1°°,'  ""  ^e  q„ar.er  deck  ex  "^f , '"  T' 
ently  demons  offc!  of  dntv  »K  *''"'J''1»''  'ho  ^aiiror  .o  S'    "  *'** 

.quen.ly,itdce.L°  „tf^  tTl  t  0^^^''  ^^r^^""  St 

id  dangers  froXe  i.  wi^l*''""  ''"^''^e  fee.  in  len».h  in/  T"°''^ 

affright,  ho  cfcZt^rSlfft^'''^^'""^^^^ 

has  a  hand  everiien  i«  hi'o  a-  .  ^""s  O"  to  nothiuff    forwa-^    "^ims, 

II  share  the  lafr  tdTl  ,:f „f--?  -m^,'  b^^dSber":;^' 
Bd  of  pecuniar*.,,,,  ^^^^^  aj^  c  oseiy^'Swfd"''  ''"""'■"«•     T^e 

I  y  stowed,  present  a  sur&cs 


'^•^L^' 


372 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


I 
\ 

n 
is 
di 


nearly  as  level  as  the  deck,  and  perform  the  office  of  a 
table ;  then^  there  are  kids,  tin  pots,  iron  spoons,  and, 
perhaps^  two  horn  tumblers,  which  answer  the  double 
purpose  of  first  measuring  out.  to  each  his  allowance  of 
grog,  and  then  taking  the  place  of  the  vinegar  cruet. 
Now,  cast  your  eye  towards  the  bowsprit-bits,  and  you 
will  see, -^  not  a  magnificent  chandelier, -^  but  an  old 
tin  lamp  with  a  long  spout,  filled  with  slush,  serving 
the  purpose  of  oil,  and  an  old  rag,  slack-twisted,  for 
wick.  This  splendid  piece  of  decoration  serves  to  illu- 
minate the  obscure  forecastle.  Let  us  now  examine  the 
bunks  where  Jack  sleeps.  The  bed,  gentle  reader,  is 
not  composed  of  down  ;  but  lo !  a  mattress  made  of  cat- 
tails, the  bulk  of  which,  rolled  up,  might  be  stowed  in  a 
large  bandbox,  first  strikes  the  eye ;  and  then,  instead 
of  the  snow-white  sheets,  there  is  a  blanket)  which  hasi  W( 
been  Jack's  companion  for  many  a  long  voyage,  and  forlch 
which  he  has  «o  great  an  affection)  that,  in  order  tolalii 
preserve  the  preciotis  relic,  it  has  been  heavily  quiltedlwli 
tliroughout  with  yarn ;  and  it  now  answers  the  twofoldlwil 
purpose,  with  ihe  help  of  his  pea-jacket,  of  blanket  andlpuc 
quilt ;  and  his  canvass  bag,  well  stowed  with  dunnagelvid 
withiti,  and  well  coated  with  tar  without,  is  the  pillow|wh( 
lo  complete  the  whole  trappings  of  a  forecastle  bedding] 

Let  us  now  imagine  this  ship  and  her  crew  sailingnrat 
o'er  the  blue  ocean  on  a  Sabbath  day,  after  eight  beUlo  \ 
in  the  forenoon  watch, -^  this  being  the  dinner  hour, -Ishe 
and  then  I  will  introduce  the  reader  to  a  sumptuous  reltow 
past  in  the  forecastle.  Conceive^  then,  about  a  dozeJiarti 
sailors  seated  on  the  chests,  forming  a  kind  of  ring,  iAood 
the  centre  of  which  is,  first,  a  kid  containing  a  huge  piecfioni 
of  salt  beef,  boiled  in  salt  water-— the  outside  of  the  mej 
grinning  most  horribly  in  erystallized  salt»  Anoth 
kid  contains  a  pudding,  or  duff,  weighing  from  ten 
fifteen  pounds,  more  or  less,  compressed  gre'atly  by  t 
operation  of  boiling ;  there  is  still  another,  containing  bAvin 
cuit,  which,  with  a  tin  pot  of  molasses,  and  the  vinegapeti 
cruet,  alias  the  horn  tumbler,  finishes  this  endless  varieta  Th 

■And  now  for  th€  conversation  around  the  festive  boaile  e 


to 


d 

Cle 
ere 
le  b 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAIf. 


373 


"Avast  there,  Tom,"  says  an  old  salt,  while  the  for- 
mer is  cutting  off  the  best  and  fattest  part  of  the  beef: 
"  cut  fair,  and  no  gouging  —just  parbuckle  that  pretty 
little  morsel  of  bull-meat  over  this  way." 

"  Hallo/'  says  another,  "  what  have  we  got  here  ?  '* 
eyeing  the  beef  sarcastically :  "  why,  this  is  a  fine  stock 
of  provisions  for  a  soldier's  knapsack ;  he  could  march 
a  whole  campaign  without  danger  of  greasing  it,  or  his 
pipe-clays."  So  saying,  he  cuts  off  a  junk  to  his  liking, 
which  is  readily  subdivided  into  morsels  about  the  di- 
mensions of  a  common-sized  egg ;  and  then,  to  neutral- 
ize the  salt,  it  is  thrust  into  the  vinegar  cruet,  with  a 
dust  of  pepper,  and  the  savory  titbit  is  swallowed  with 
beTowcd  in  al  pe^liar  relish. 


the  office  of  a 
1  spoons,  and, 
\rGV  the  double 
3  allowance  of 
vinegar  cruet, 
it-bits,  and  you 
r  ^^but  an  old 
,'  slush,  serving 
ack-twisted,  for 

,n  serves  to  lUu- 
low  examine  the 
grcn*le  reader,  IS 
;ress  made  of  cat- 


<l"*then  instead  I  The  fir^  course  being  over,  the  dessert  is  brought  for- 
*  V  t  which  has  I  ward,  at  which  they  all  brighten  up  with  an  inward 
*^  sR.  and  fot  I  chuckle,  apparently  delighted  with  this  weekly  extra 
^u?'^  in  order  tol  allowance ;  then  an  old  roaster,  and  a  hard-visaged  chap, 
h  vilv  quiltedlwho  sits  opposite,  bawls  out,  "Handle  yourself  this  way, 
^"  the  twofoldlwith  your  long  shears,  and  cut  me  up  the  duff."  The 
swers  .  t^^j.  andlpudding  is  then  first  slabbed  off  into  blocks,  then  di- 
^\^  th  dunnagepided  into  slices,  to  be  again  subdivided  into  pieces, 
^^^  .  ^  .^g  pillowJwhen  the  contents  of  the  tin  pot  of  molasses  is  poured 
?"*^'  ^^  tie  beddingf  nto  the  kid,  and  a  hasty  stir-about  completes  the  prep- 
forecas  ^^^^  gaiUnwuration.  Now,  then,  with  their  iron  spoons,  they  fall 
ft  r  eight  beilfo  with  a  will,  while  piece  after  piece  rapidly  van- 
'  ^fl'^ner  hour,-fshes,  till  the  whole  mass  disappears;  when,  if  a  full 
'^  ^umptuous  leltowage  of  hardware  fail  to  bring  a  conviction,  to  the 
*  ^Kout  a  dozelarticipants,  of  the  moral  of  the  truth,  "  Enough  is  as 
'^'k^nd  of  ring,  ifood  as  a  feast,"  *-  alas !  the  empty  kid  too  plainly  ad- 
^  '2  a  huge  pieclonishes  them  of  the  truth  of  the  moral,  "  There  is  an 
"^^"^^' de  of  the  mealnd  to  all  things."  This  done,  some  one  sings  out, 
°^T^saUs  Anothl Clear  away  the  wreck!  "  a  very  unnecessary  call,  for 
h  a  from  ten  iiere  is  nothing  left  but  the  empty  dishes  to  clear  away; 
d  sre'atly  by  tlf  e  beef,  pudding,  molasses,  pepper,  vinegar,  and  grog, 
h  containing  biliving  all  been  stowed  away,  to  satisfy  the  enormous 
Ip  ^^and  the  vineApetites  of  the  sailors. 

\K  endless  varietJThe  above  is  a  pretty  fair  sample  of  their  meals,  with 
d^the  festive  boale  exception  that  they  are  generally  allowed  beans, 

34 


374 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


|ti ''; 


peas,  rice,  and  sometimes  potatoes,  as  a  change.  Salt 
pork  is  also  given  instead  of  beef.  With  this  kind  of 
living,  it  not  unfrequently  happens,  that  they  are  obliged 
to  work  all  day,  and  then  are  called  up  perhaps  two  or 
three  times  in  their  watch  below  at  night.  They  are 
not  only  frequently  exposed  to  storms  and  tempests, 
wet  and  dry,  sudden  transitions  of  heat  and  cold,  but  it 
sometimes  happens  that,  from  stress  of  weather,  calms, 
or  otherwise,  they  suffer  incredibly  for  want  of  provis- 
ions and  water.  Add  to  all  this,  it  is  often  the  case 
that  a  sailor  does  not  receive  a  kind  or  pleasant  word 
from  his  officers  during  a  voyage ;  and,  although  there 
are  many  honorable  exceptions  in  commanders  of  ves- 
sels, yet  I  am  compelled  to  acknowledge  that  there  are 
many  who  look  upon  a  common  hand  as  nearly  allied 
to  a  brute,  and,  consequently,  treat  him  as  such.  At 
best,  a  sailor's  life  is  full  of  hardship  and  peril ;  and  if 
to  these  are  added  hard  living,  hard  usage,  and  hard 
words,  it  may  be  imagined  that  his  life  at  sea  is  not  very 
desirable.  :f  irr,.  j;).iv '  ..■:vrv-M'i,-  •■  T;,,5-i; 

No  wonder,  then,  when  a  ship  arrives  in  port,  and  a{ 
land-shark  comes  on  board  under  false  colors,  with 
smooth  words  and  sunshine  in  his  countenance, 
especially  if  he  has  a  bottle  .f  rum  to  treat  poor  Jack! 
with, — no  wonder,  I  say,  that  he  becomes  an  easy  dupe 
to  this  designing  knave.  Presently,  you  will  see  the! 
land-pirate  have,  perhaps,  a  whole  crew  in  tow,  and  theyj 
are  quickly  stowed  away  in  a  fire-ship,  —  or,  to  speakf 
more  plainly,  a  grog-shop,  —  which  comprises  a  part,  atl 
least,  of  a  sailors'  boarding-house.  Here,  then,  he  isl 
constantly  plied  with  liquor,  and  kept  half  stupid;! 
in  which  situation  he  is  sometimes  permitted  to  sally] 
forth  into  the  streets,  where  he  is  generally  scoffed  atj 
and  despised ;  —  by  reason  of  which,  he  plunges  deepeij 
into  the  vortex  of  misery  and  wretchedness. 

Now,  it  must  be  acknowledged  that  there  are  manj 
men,  who  are  an  honor  to  their  species,  endeavoring 
to  exert  their  influence  and  means  to  extricate  sailon 
from  this  sad  condition;  yet  there  are  many  others] 


LI»'E    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


375 


change.     Salt 

this  kind  of 

ley  are  obliged 

erhaps  two  or 
ht.    They  are 
and  tempests, 
,nd  cold,  but  it  \ 
weather,  calms, 
vant  of  provis- 
often  the  case 
f  pleasant  word 
although  there 
nanders  of  ves- 
j  that  there  are 
as  nearly  allied 
m  as  such.     At 
lid  peril ;  and  if 
usage,  and  hard 
ftt  sea  is  not  very 


when  it  is  proposed  to  rescue  seafaring  men  from  the 
grasp  of  designing  men,  and  advance  their  moral  and 
religious  condition,  so  that  they  may  sustain  a  rank  in 
society  to  which  their  value  and  importance  justly 
entitles  them,  —  I  say,  when  this  is  proposed,  the  answer 
is,  "  Why  do  sailors  permit  themselves  to  be  so  duped 
and  carried  away  ?  "  The  reasons  have  been  given. 
But  it  may  be  asked,  who  goes  on  board  of  a  vessel,  when 
she  first  arrives,  and  takes  the  poor  sailor  by  the  hand  ? 
and,  when  on  shore,  who  is  it  that  will  introduce  him 
into  society,  and  give  him  a  place  at  the  social  board, 
or  around  the  domestic  fireside?  Who  is  it,  I  ask,  that 
will  whisper  kind  words  into  his  ear,  and,  with  whole- 
some admonition  and  advice,  tell  him  about  the  value 
of  his  soul,  or  go  in  company  with  him  to  the  house  of 
God  ?  When  it  is  proposed  to  make  special  efforts  to 
erect  temperance  houses,  and  mariners'  churches,  for 
the  benefit  of  seamen,  the  objections  generally  are,  that 
there  are  already  houses  of  sufficient  respectability  for 
their  reception,  and,  as  to  places  of  worship,  why,  they 
abound  in  all  our  cities  — consequently,  sailors  have  the 
same  opportunity  to  make  use  of  the  means  of  reforma- 
tion as  landsmen  have.  Now,  this  is  very  bad  reason- 
ing. Suppose,  for  example,  that  a  sailor  could  get  from 
under  the  clutches  of  his  landlord  long  enough  to  keep 
sober  twenty-four  hours ;  let  him  then  have  a  "go 
ashore  wash,"  as  he  would  call  it,  and  dress  him  in  a 
complete  sailor's  rig  —  say  blue  jacket,  white  trousers, 
black  silk  handkerchief  tied  with  a  sailor's  knot,  —  the 
other  parts  of  his  dress  to  correspond,  — except  that  his 
head  is  decorated  with  the  indispensable  tarpaulin ;  thus 
rigged  out,  let  him  enter  one  of  our  large  and  fashion- 
I  able  churches ;  —  and  how  many  pew  doors,  do  you 
[suppose,  would  be  thrown  open  for  his  reception?  It  is 
highly  probable  that  many  of  the  ladies,  fancying  the 
air  perfumed  with  tar,  or  oakum,  would  faint  at  the  sight 
of  this  outlandish  creature  ;  and  no  doubt  the  sexton,  in 
this  most  deplorable  dilemma,  would,  if  the  audacious 
intrusion  had  not  too  far  ruffled  his  temper,  in  a  delicate 
land  agreeable  manner  show  him  the  way  to  the  door. 


1 


■S*      ' 


376 


LirE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


The  facts  are  simply  these :  a  sailor  is  so  accustomed 
to  the  severity  of  discipline  on  shipboard,  that  he 
would  as  soon  take  up  his  residence  in  the  cabin — in 
the  land  of  plates,  knives,  forks,  &c.,  as  they  term  a 
gentleman's  parlor  —  as  frequent  a  place  of  religious 
worship,  where  all  are  so  different  in  dress  to  him ;  for 
he  conceives  immediately  that  he  is  out  of  his  element. 
If,  then,  religious  truth  is  ever  brought  to  bear  upon  his 
character,  the  impression  must  first  be  made,  that  he 
has  a  timber-head  in  the  church,  to  use  his  own  phrase 
with  a  sailor's  chaplain ;  and  it  is  further  necessary  that 
he  should  be  surrounded  with  those  who,  like  himself, 
are  rigged  out  in  the  costume  of  the  sailor.  In  this 
way,  and  in  no  other,  will  you  gain  his  confidence. 
And  if  once  the  blessed  truths  of  Christianity  make  a 
lodgment  in  his  heart,  there  is  no  class  of  men  that  are 
more  devoted,  or  that  live  more  consistent  lives  than  do 
seaman. 

It  is  not  a  difHcult  matter  to  affect  the  heart  of  a 
sailor ;  only  keep  him  sober,  and  bring  him  within  the 
range  of  religious  influence,  and  persuade  him,  at  the 
same  time,  by  the  interest  you  feel  in  his  behalf,  that 
you  are  his  friend,  his  reformation  is  almost  a  certainty. 
I  boldly  assert  that  which  experience  has  confirmed 
during  a  series  of  voyages,  as  has  been  noticed  in  the 
preceding  narrative,  that  my  uniform  practice  was  to 
have  religious  worship  on  board  ;  and  I  can  safely 
affirm  that  a  judicious  course  of  treatment,  and  the 
influence  of  these  observances,  not  only  made  a  deep 
and  lasting  impression  on  the  minds  of  many  sailors, 
but  also  enabled  me  to  gain  their  confidence  and  sup« 
port  in  many  a  trying  hour.  Indeed,  during  a  course 
of  many  years'  experience  with  them,  I  never  knew  a 
sailor  who  was  an  infidel ;  and  I  do  not  think  any  man 
of  reflection,  following  a  sea  life,  can  be  one,  surround* 
ed  as  he  is  at  all  times  with  the  immense  displays  ct' 
the  power  and  wisdom  of  God.  Looking  upward,  theyl 
behold  the  blue  heavens;  looking  around,  they  se.3  the 
vastj  unfathomable  abyss,  without  limit,  except  that  Uiein 


pro 

san 

bee 

as  ' 

beei 

reqi 

wor 

com 

they 

whi( 

toef 

that 

fluen 

life 

treatr 

and  a 

enjoy 

woulc 

lessen 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


377 


accustomed 

ltd,  that    he 

te  cabin — in 

they  term  a 

of  religious 
I  to  him;  for 

his  element, 
bear  upon  his 
nade,  that  he 
s  own  phrase 
necessary  that 
,  like  himself, 
ailor.     In  this 
lis  confidence, 
tianity  make  a 
:  men  that  are 
t  lives  than  do 

the  heart  of  a 
him  within  the 
de  him,  at  the 
his  behalf,  that 
ost  a  certainty, 
has  confirmed 
noticed  in  the 
)ractice  was  to 
[  I  can   safely 
[ment,   and  the 
made  a  deep 
many  sailors, 
lence  and  sup- 
uring  a  course 
I  never  knew  a 
think  any  man 
one,  surround- 
,.se  displays  of 
g  upward,  they 
Id,  they  se^  the 
Ixcept  that  then' 


contracted  vision  makes  sky  and  ocean  meet.  In  the 
hurricane  and  storm,  he  views  his  wondrous  power :  and 
when  he  also  beholds  the  enormous  growth  and  the 
vast  variety  of  the  finny  tribe ;  and  when  too,  above  all, 
he  recollects  his  own  exposures  on  the  inconstant  ele- 
ment, and  how  he  has  been  preserved  amid  its  various 
perils  and  dangers;  when,  I  say,  he  reflects  upon  all 
these  things,  (and  I  believe  every  sailor  does  so,  more  or 
less,)  he  is  constrained  to  acknowledge  that  there  is  an 
overruling  Providence,  a  Being  who  supports  and  up- 
holds all  things  by  his  wisdom  and  power.  If,  then,  a 
proper  estimate  is  made  of  the  value  and  importance  of 
seamen  to  our  communities ;  if  our  obligations  to  them 
are  rightly  considered ;  and  if  our  responsibility  to  God 
in  their  behalf  is  manifest,  we  are  bound  to  put  forth  the 
most  strenuous  efforts  to  alleviate  their  temporal  and 
spiritual  condition.  If  we  do  not  do  all  this,  and  more, 
there  will  be  a  fearful  account  to  give  in  the  day  of  final 
retribution. 

Experiments  are  now  being  carried  on,  and  have 
proved  successful  beyond  the  expectations  of  the  most 
sanguine.  Seamen's  homes,  and  mariners'  churches,  have 
been  opened  in  almost  every  seaport  in  the  United  States, 
as  well  as  in  foreign  ports;  and  although  much  has 
been  done,  yet  much  more  remains  to  be  done,  which 
requires  the  united  cooperation  of  all.  In  this  great 
work,  a  vast  amount  of  responsibility  rests  upon  the 
commanders  of  vessels,  because  it  is  well  knOwn  that 
they  can  exert  an  influence,  over  the  minds  of  sailors, 
which  is  quite  beyond  the  power  of  any  other  class 
to  eflect.  It  seems,  then,  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary 
that  a  commander  should  be  under  the  power  and  in- 
fluence of  gospel  truths,  that  he  may  regulate  his  own 
ilife  accordingly,  and  observe  a  judicious  and  proper 
[treatment  to  sailors,  as  well  as  to  recommend,  by  precept 
knd  example,  that  divine  principle  which  he  professes  to 
enjoy.  If  this  were  generally  the  case,  how  much  taore 
would  the  privations  and  hardships  of  a  sea  life  be 
[lessened !  Let  men  be  brought  to  feel  their  responsi- 
.  ,,-   34*      ,      ., 


378 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


bility  to  God  and  to  each  other,  and  there  certainly  would 
not  be  a  want  of  obedience  on  shipboard  from  inferiors  to 
superiors ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  officers  would  be  just, 
and  consider  that  the  soul  of  the  sailor  is  as  precious  in 
the  sight  of  God,  and  cost  as  much  to  redeem,  as  that 
of  any  other  man.  It  is  certain,  if  this  divine  principle 
were  enjoyed  by  seamen  in  general,  then  every  vessel 
would  become  a  Bethel,  and  every  sailor's  heart  a 
temple  for  the  Holy  Spirit  to  dwell  in.  But  sailors 
themselves,  being  the  most  interested,  are  called  upon  to 
be  co-workers  in  that  which  is  to  elevate  their  condition 
in  society,  by  reforming  their  habits  and  lives,  and 
endeavoring  to  practise  those  moral  and  religious  truths 
which  are  not  only  calculated  to  smooth  the  sorrows  of 
life,  and  make  men  happy,  but,  after  all,  give  a  proper 
estimate  to  character. 

Sailors,  during  the  progress  of  their  calling,  are  oc- 
casionally in  the  habit  of  visiting  every  portion  of  the 
habitable  globe.  Their  business  frequently  leads  them 
among  the  less  informed,  the  uncivilized,  portions  of 
mankind.  And  it  is  here  that  the  examples  taught  by 
the  white  men,  who  mingle  with  the  natives,  may 
have  a  mighty  influence  on  their  conduct.  The  white 
man  is  soon  known  to  possess  a  mind  of  a  higher  order  i 
than  the  savage,  and  is  by  him  looked  up  to  as  a 
superior  being.  If  the  moral  feelings  of  the  white  mati 
correspond  with  his  intellectual  power,  the  influence 
which  he  may  thus  exercise  will  be  unbounded.  But 
if  the  savage  finds  that  the  white  man  seeks  to  deceive 
him,  is  dishonest,  cunning,  licentious,  and  intemperate, 
he  can  no  longer  respect  him,  although  it  is  possiblej 
he  may  fear  his  power. 

The  ignorant,  untutored  savage  can  discriminate  be- 
tween good  and  evil ;  and  although  he,  perhaps,  hasl 
never  cultivated  the  moral  sentiments,  he  will  despisoJ 
from  the  bottom  of  his  heart,  the  pale-faced  stranger! 
wh^  allows  the  animal  passions  to  predominate  overl 
the  nobler  faculties  of  the  mind.  If  you  take  awayl 
virtue,  you  will  deprive  intellect  of  half  its  force.  ItT 
is  therefore  evident,  that  sailors  who  visit  those  countriea 


i 
c 

h 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


379 


rtainly  would 
>in  inferiors  to 
(vould  be  jusi, 
as  precious  m 
ideem,  as  that 
ivine  principle 
n  every  vessel 
lilor's  heart  a 
,.     But  sailors 

called  upon  to 
their  condition 
and  lives,  and 
religious  truths 

the  sorrows  of 
,1,  give  a  proper 


calling, 
y  portion 


of 


should  be  men  correct  in  their  i  loral  conduct,  and  thus 
be  able  to  set  before  the  savage  a  copy  for  his  imitation, 
not  a  picture  for  his  abhorrence.  It  will  thus  be  seen 
that  the  bearing  of  the  sailor,  when  abroad,  is  always  of 
the  greatest  importance,  and  should  every  where  be 
characterized  by  frankness,  benevolence,  decorum,  and 
virtue.  This  conduct  is  particularly  necessary  when 
holding  communication  with  the  savage. 

The  sailor  might  pave  the  way  for  the  missionary  or 
the  philanthropist,  who  would  be  able  to  instruct  them 
still  further  in  their  religious  and  moral  duties.     But  if, 
on  the  contrary,  sailors  should  exhibit  a  character,  to 
them,  marked   with   vice  and  sensuality,   the   savage 
would  soon  see  enough  of  the  white  man,  and  be  more 
disposed  to  drive  him  from  his  territories,  or  take  his 
life,  than  to  receive  from  his  lips  the  lessons  of  advice 
or  the  precepts  of  morality.     It  is  evident  that,  before  a 
person  can  b&  successful  in  instructing  others,  whether 
children  or  adults,  he  must  be  respected ;  and  he  cannot 
be  respected,  either  by  the  white  man  or  the  savage, 
oies  tan<yht  by  I  unless  he  strictly  fulfils  his  moral  duties.     An  American 
e   natives,  may  I  sailor,  when  abroad,  should  recollect  that  he  is  a  repre- 
sentative of  his  countrymen,  and  that  it  is  in  his  power 
to  convey  to  those  among  whom  he  mingles  a  favorable 
as  a  I  impression  of  the  general  conduct,  manners,  and  morals, 
of  his  countrymen,  or  to  excite  their  prejudice  against 
the  name  of  an  American,  by  a  bearing  unjustifiably 
incorrect  or  immoral.     And  this  consideration  alone,  if 
he  have  a  proper  love  for  his  country,  and  a  due  regard 
for  the  character  of  an  American,  will  be  sufficient  to 
h*  it  is  possible  I  induce  him  to  be  circumspect  in  his  actions,  and  desirous 
of  gaining  a  good  name  among   foreigners,  whether 
discriminate  be-lcivilized  or  barbarous,  whether  Christians  or   pagans, 
perhaps,  haslBut  there  are  better  and  nobler  motives  to  influence  the 
y^e  will  despise Jcond net  of  the  seaman,  when  acting  in  some  sort  as  the 
e-faced  strangetlrepresentative  of  his  countrymen  in  a  distant  laud,  —  a 
redominate  overljust  sense  of  moral  duty  ;  a  wish  to  act  correctly  wher- 
vou  take  awaylever  he  may  be  placed,  or  in  whatever  circumstances ; 
If  its  force.    Iw  regard  to  his  own  character,  and  happiness,  and  wel- 
t  those  countrief 


are  oc- 
of  the 
mfly  leads  thera 
ed,  portions    '" 


net.     The  white 
If  a  higher  order 
:od   up  to 
If  the  white  man 
ir,  the  influence 
inbounded.     But 
seeks  to  deceive 
Lud  intemperate 


380 


LIFE   ON   THE    OCEAN. 


P 

ID 
h 

I. 

•Ml 

z 

a 


fare  in  a  future  state.  But,  in  order  that  seamen  may 
the  more  effectually  exert  a  moral  influence  among 
those  with  whom  they  have  intercourse,  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  that  they  should  become  temperate  men. 
After  all,  the  great  prolific  cause  of  all  their  miseries  and 
wretchedness,  as  well  as  of  the  peculiar  characteristics  of 
their  anomalous  character,  is  the  almost  universal  prev- 
alence among  them  of  practical  intemperance.  This 
vice  will  ever  keep  them  from  mingling  with  society  ;  it 
destroys  confidence  and  respect,  and  is  disgusting  to  ait 
good  men  ;  because  the  habitual  inebriate  places  himself 
on  a  level  with  the  brute ;  and  further,  the  sailor,  when 
he  is  half  drunk,  not  only  becomes  the  dupe  of  every 
designing  knave,  but  also  is  in  a  fit  condition  to  plunge 
himself  into  the  lowest  scenes  of  sensuality.  It  is  the 
vice  of  intemperance  that  destroys  the  constitution,  and 
brings  on  premature  disease  and  death.  Look  around  ; 
how  rarely  does  it  occur  that  you  see  an  old  sailor! 
Where  are  they  ?  and  what  becomes  of  them  ?  Why, 
they  either  go  to  Davy  Jones's  locker  —  that  is,  they  fall 
overboard  and  are  drowned — or  they  are  shipwrecked  or 
foundered.  But  the  greater  part,  by  the  inordinate  use 
of  rum,  prematurely  induce  disease,  anJ  then  poor  Jack 
is  taken  to  the  hospital  with  a  broken-down  constitution, 
and  very  shortly  slips  his  wind.  "ii?  j  * « 

It  is  morally  impossible,  also,  that  the  word  of  God 
can  take  effect  upon  the  heart  of  that  man  whose  senses 
are  benumbed  with  liquor ;  so  far  from  it,  that,  just  in 
proportion  as  ardent  spirits  are  taken  into  the  stomach, 
just  in  the  same  ratio  will  the  divine  influence  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  be  shut  out  from  the  heart  of  such  a  man. 
A.nd  I  hold  it  to  be  next  to  impossible  that   religious 
impressions  can  take  effect ;  or,  if  they  do,  they  will 
only  be  casual, — consequently^  no  permanent  benefit  willj 
be  the  result.     Let  me  say,  then,  to  seamen,  that  tem- 
perance is  not  only  a  virtue  in  itself,  but  it  makes  rnenj 
virtuous,  and  paves  the  way  for  all  that  is  good  andl 
great ;  it  brings  with  it   reflection  and   consideration,! 
which  are  the  primary  steps  to  the  possession  of  morals 
and  religion. 


t( 
n 
tl 

V( 

er 
th 
al 
te 
on 
ve 


LirE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


381 


seamen  may 
lence  among 

is  absolutely 
iperate    men. 
r  miseries  and    | 
racteristics  of 
iniversal  prey- 
erance.     This 
ith  society ;  it 
sgusting  to  all 
places  himself 
le  sailor,  when 
dui)e  of  every 
ition  to  plunge 
ility.    It  is  the 
)nstitiition,  and 

Look  around ; 

an  old  sailor! 

them?    Why, 

hat  is,  they  fall 

shipwrecked  or 

inordinate  use 

then  poor  Jack 

n  constitution, 

[e  word  of  God 
jin  whose  senses 
it,  that,  just  ill 
lo  the  stomacli, 
lifluence  of  the 
lof  such  a  man. 
that   religious 
do,  they  will 
ient  benefit  will| 
[men,  that  tern- 
l  it  makes  men! 
lat  is  good  and 
consideration,! 

ssion  of  morak 


There  is  another  cl  .s  of  persons  who  are  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  reformation  of  seamen;  these  are  the 
merchants  and  ship-owners.  It  is  surprising,  iowever, 
to  behold  the  apathy  and  indifference  manifested  by 
many  of  those  gentlemen ;  and  it  is  a  melancholy  fact, 
that  there  are  ship-owners  who  give  command  of  their 
vessels  to  profane,  overbearing,  tyrannical  men,  in  pref- 
erence to  those  of  high  moral  worth,  vainly  supposing 
that  such  persons  are  not  only  the  best  seamen,  and 
alone  competent  to  command,  but  also  that  their  in- 
terest by  such  will  be  better  served.  Long  experien^^e 
on  the  ocean  has  convinced  me  that,  in  the  general,  the 
very  reverse  is  the  truth ;  for  it  requires  something  more 
than  the  mere  handling  of  a  marlinspike,  handing,  reef- 
ing, steering,  &c.,  to  constitute  a  good  seaman.  If  to 
these  qualities  a  sound  judgment  is  not  connected,  then 
the  most  prominent  feature  is  wanting  to  make  a  com- 
plete and  thorough  seaman ;  and,  in  the  general  run,  at 
least  eight  times  out  of  ten,  an  overbearing,  tyrannical 
commander  will  make  a  ba(^  crew ;  and  he  who  cannot 
govern  himself  is  unfit  to  govern  others.  Besides,  the 
principal  part  of  the  difficulties  and  troubles  on  ship- 
board, at  sea,  is  owing,  ultimately,  if  not  immediately, 
to  the  peculiar  character  of  the  crew ;  and  thus  is  the 
interest  of  voyages  not  only  greatly  injured,  but,  also,  it 
sometimes  happens  that  mutiny,  with  its  horrid  conse- 
quences, is  the  result. 

But  it  is  certain  that,  if  the  interests  of  the  merchant 
are  advanced  by  having,  as  commanders  of  their  vessels, 
men  of  moral  feelings  and  just  conceptions  of  responsi- 
bility, it  is  also  certain,  that  the  sailor's  character  ought 
to  correspond  with  the  officer's  ;  for  what  guaranty  can 
a  merchant  have  for  his  property  at  sea,  while  under  the 
care  and  management  of  a  crew  that  neither  fear  God 
[nor  regard  man,  and,  consequently,  have  no  proper  no- 
tions of  moral  obligation.  To  be  sure,  it  must  be  con- 
fessed that  many  safe  and  expeditious  voyages  have 
ibeen  made  with  such  crews  ;  but  then,  this  is  no  argu- 
ment why  the  moral  condition  of  seamen  should  not  be 


383 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


elevated.  In  fact,  there  is  an  imperious  obligation  de- 
volving on  the  merchants,  in  reference  to  seamen ;  it  is 
a  debt  of  gratitude  due  by  them  ;  the  reasons  for  which 
have  been  stated  in  the  preceding  pages.  In  what  bet- 
ter way,  then,  I  ask,  can  this  claim  be  liquidated,  than 
for  the  merchant  to  lend  his  influence  and  means  in 
elevating  the  sailor  to  that  rank  in  jociety  which  his 
worth  and  importance  demand  ? 

But  there  is  yet  a  higher  and  nobler  motive  which 
should  induce  merchants  to  rescue  seamen  from  the 
low  and  grovelling  condition  which,  unfortunately,  too 
many  of  them  now  sustain ;  that  is,  by  exercising  that 
universal  love  and  good- will,  which  is  not  prompted  by 
sordid  or  mercenary  motives.  It  is  a  species  of  that 
love  which  induced  the  blessed  Redeemer  to  give  his  life 
a  ransom  for  all.  Now,  if  the  heart  is  actuated  by  a 
principle  like  this,  there  will  not  be  wanting  the  most 
strenuous  efforts  on  the  part  of  merchants  to  snatch 
weather-beaten  sailors,  as  brands,  from  the  eternal  burn- 
ing, especially  when  it  is  i^en  what  vast  numbers  are 
annually  swept  off  by  shipwreck  and  other  casualties 
at  sea,  and  ushered  into  eternity  at  a  moment's  warning, 
without  preparation  to  appear  at  the  bar  of  God.  It 
may  be  asked,  How  is  this  to  be  effected,  and  how  are 
sailors  fo  be  reached  ?  I  answer.  Let  the  merchant  en- 
tirely discountenance  those  places  where  sailors  gene- 
rally take  up  their  residence  when  on  shore,  which  are 
usually  denominated  sailor  boarding-houses ;  the  better 
appellation,  however,  would  be  grog-shops,  or  haunts  of 
dissipation.  In  such  places  as  these,  the  unsuspecting 
sailor  is  amply  plied  with  the  intoxicating  bowl,  which 
not  only  drowns  his  sensibilities,  and  keeps  him  upon 
a  level  with  the  brute,  but  here,  also,  his  hard  earnings 
are  filched,  and  then,  when  no  more  can  be  drained  from 
him  by  mock  caress  or  venal  device,  he  is  shipped  on 
board  of  some  vessel  in  a  state  of  stupefaction,  or,  what 
is  worse,  with  the  delirium  tremens. 

The  keepers  of  such  places  should  be  discountenanced 
by  all  good  men ;  and  that  which  perhaps  will  more 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


383 


ibligation  de- 
seamen  ;  it  is 
»ns  for  which 
In  what  bet- 
luidated,  than 
ind  means  in 
ety  which  his 

motive  which 
nen  from  the 
artunately,  too 
exercising  that 
»t  prompted  by 
ipecies  of  that 
•  to  give  his  life 
actuated  by  a 
iting  the  most 
ants  to  snatch 
le  eternal  burn- 
st  numbers  are 
jther  casualties 
nent's  warning, 
ir  of  God.    It 
i,  and  how  are 
merchant  en- 
[e  sailors  gene- 
iore,  which  are 
[ses;  the  better 
)S,  or  haunts  of 
le  unsuspecting 
fig  bowl,  which 
■eeps  him  upon 
hard  earnings 
)e  drained  from 
is  shipped  on 
Lction,  or,  what 

liscountenanced 
laps  will  more 


effectually  bring  about  the  object  intended  is,  let  not 
the  merchants  employ  shipping-masters  who  keep  such 
houses,  or  that  ship  any  sailors  from  those  places.  There 
may  be  some  difficulty,  perhaps,  at  first,  in  effecting  this, 
but  it  will  soon  vanish  away,  provided  the  ship-owners 
will  give  their  entire  countenance  and  support  to  men 
of  worth  and  standing,  who  keep  temperance  houses, 
and  seamen's  homes,  where  the  sailor  may  resort  after 
his  long  and  perilous  voyage,  and  have  both  his  tem- 
poral and  spiritual  interests  greatly  advanced ;  and  where, 
instead  of  being  robbed  of  his  hard  earnings,  his  con- 
stitution shattered,  and  packed  off  to  sea  like  a  beast, 
he  may  have  his  money  put  in  a  savings  bank,  and, 
when  he  is  about  to  go  to  sea,  he  may  have  a  chest  of 
good  clothes,  and  clean  bedding,  with  a  sound,  vigorous 
frame,  and  go  on  board  of  a  ship  able  to  perform  his 
duty  in  a  seaman-like  manner. 

It  is  exceedingly  gratifying  to  know  that  a  growing 
interest  is  gathering  around  the  community  in  behalf 
of  seamen ;  and  well  it  may,  when  we  consider  the  vast 
number  employed  in  our  naval  and  merchant  service, 
including  also  our  inland  navigation ;  they  are  at  pres- 
ent estimated  at  about  five  hundred  thousand  men,  — ^  a 
class,  perhaps,  of  more  value  to  the  real  interests  of  this 
country  than  any  other— a  class  whose  interests>:ertain- 
ly  have  been  more  neglected  by  society  than  even  the 
pauper  who  prowls  about  the  streets.  It  is  singularly 
strange  that  this  should  be  so ;  for  the  blessed  Redeemer, 
in  the  days  of  his  incarnation,  not  only  honored  the  Sea 
of  Tiberias  and  Gennesaret  with  his  presence,  but  actu- 
ally called  seamen  to  be  his  first  heralds  to  proclaim  the 
glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  a  lost  and  ruined  world ;  and 
he  preached  his  own  everlasting  gospel,  dispensing  the 
bread  of  life  to  the  famishing  multitude,  from  a  vessel's 
deck.  And  yet,  it  is  not  more  than  thirty  years  since, 
that  any  special  efforts  were  made  in  behalf  of  seamen,  to 
better  their  condition  in  society,  and  effect  the  salvation 
of  their  souls.  The  light  first  began  to  dawn  upon  their 
moral  horizon  in  the  British  Isles,  in  1810  j  and  very 


III 

m 


i 
m 


384 


LIP£    ON  TMG    OCEAN. 


D 

0 


soon  its  benign  rays  were  reflected  across  the  Atlantic, 
upon  the  American  shores ;  and  then,  for  the  first  time, 
the  voice  of  the  man  of  God  was  heard,  proclaiming, 
"  Sailor,  there  is  hope  for  thee  I " 


i-i : 


v> 


z 

9 


1  -, . 


■.I..a     f^■ 


^(ii'i'^^^.y: 


s:,./?;^  -E^*; 


f-;  t  ,  :;f<.'vf«- 


«^i-'T':;s->ti  *  fif;,-.  /'/♦vi"..«^    '^^    (''fr';?;fi-at  '»i=:*ltr '' 


*;T 


"**.■    ass  "S".  -rt. 


JXix 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

i«^'US".,;f  XJ-^*^""-!  much  doub.  With 
!  making  them  reIigion,^rr^,wT"8  saUors,  and  '? 

j  wonaered  at  with   iii«;i       "«»*"ie.      i  his  is  not  tn  u^ 

conduct  which  i,  exWbZTw  5^^''"'''  ^^ept  by  T 

This,  indeed,  will  be  »":LtL*/'?7''««  »°  »ho*' 

'he  baser  passions  are  alonrmi  v     JJ^Sment;  becansa 

many  temptations  ZZ,^^''^'  ^I'^'^  olZ 

Jdesigmng  men,  to  allure  tW-T""."®  'hrown  out   bv 

J  It  IS  impossible  to  judse  nf  ti. 
Nor  by  what  is  seen  of  him  o„  t  '**'  '"'"»«'«'  of  a 
leemsto  be  imperWous  a^d  ™??°"  •• '"^  ^"''"'■gb  he 
ty  subject  of  ?;iigTo?  yet  tha"r  '"  '^Sarf  tS  t?e 
l^at  might  so  easily Vbrolhtffn^'  "°  *'«^  of  men 
J^operly  managed,  I  seamen  Per^lf  "'  '"""^noe,  if 
ff  the  more  prominent  re^ons  Ih^u  "^  ">  Sire  a  few 

n  i-^ «"'-  ^"^  ^fek,.^rK^ 


i 


iiiii) 


i 


^86 


LIFE   ON  THE    OCEAN. 


isations  are  the  general  tenor  of  the  conversation  which 
issues  from  the  cabins  of  many  vesseh),  land  even  the 
forms  of  religion  are  not  known  in  many  m  long  and 
perilous  voyage ;  and  it  not  unfrequently  happens  that  it 
is  neither  seen,  nor  exhibited,  in  the  whole  course  of  a 
sailor's  life.  Can  it,  then,  be  a  matter  of  astonishment, 
to  behold  the  indifference  and  recklessness  of  sailors,  in 
regard  to  these  matters  ?  Just,  for  a  moment,  behold  them 
on  the  ocean,  excluded  from  the  restraints  of  society, 
deprived  of  all  those  instituted  means  of  grace,  on  the 
Sabbath,  which  are  always  within  the  reach  of  landsmen, 
besides  being  surrounded  on  all  sides  with  evil  example, 
and  especially  that  which  is  exhibited  by  their  su- 
periors ;  looked  upon,  in  many  instances,  as  possessing  no 
souls.  I  say,  when  all  these  things  are  considered,  it  is 
not  surprising  that  sailors  manifest  but  little  relish  for 
morals  or  religion. 

It  may  be  asked.  What  course  shall  we  pursue  with 
sailors,  while  on  the  ocean,  in  order  to  impress  their 
minds  with  a  deep  sense  of  their  obligations  to  God,  and 
the  necessity  of  seeking  the  salvation  of  their  souls?    I 
answer,  if  possible,  let  the  commanders  of  all  vessels,  if 
not  strictly  religious,  be  at  least  moral,  and  observe  thej 
forms  and  restraints  of  Christianity  on  the  Sabbath  day. 
This  observance,  in  keeping  alive  a  state  of  moral  feel* 
ing,  will,  coneequently,  give  a  check  and  restraint  to 
those  outbreakings  of  profane  swearing,  and  other  vices, 
so  common  among  sailors.     It  may  be  objected  that  these 
observances  will  interfere  with  the  duties  of  the  shipJ 
or  that  it  will  be  impossible  to  bring  many  sailors  tol 
attend  to  these  forms  of  devotion  at  sea.     In  the  latter! 
years  of  my  sea  life,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  preceding] 
narrative,  I  never  found  any  obstacle,  eitlier  in  reference| 
to  carrying  on  the  duties  of  the  ship,  or  the  unwilling- 
ness of  sailors  to  obey  orders.     Certainly,  if  a  corre-| 
spondent  and  uniform  course  of  discipline   is  not  ol 
served,  it  cannot  be  expected  that  sailors  will  either  be 
willing  to  attend  to  those  exercises,  or  place  confidence 
in  the  highest  profession.      70  f.-- 


LIVE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


887 


sation  which 
tnd  even  the 
r  «  long  and 
appens  that  it 
ie  course  of  a 
astonishment, 

}  of  sailors,  in 
t,  behold  them 
Its  of  society, 

grace,  on  the 
h  of  landsmen, 
I  evil  example, 

by  their  sii- 
18  possessing  no 
onsidered,  it  is 
little  relish  for 

we  pursue  with 
0  impress  their 
pns  to  God,  and 
their  souls?    I 
)i  all  vessels,  if 
ind  observe  the 
Sabbath  day. 
[e  of  moral  feel- 
md  restraint  to 
^nd  other  vices, 
lected  that  these  I 
les  of  the  ship, 
tany  sailors  to 
In  the  latter 
the  preceding! 
[lier  in  reference] 
the  unwilling- 
ily,  if  a  corre- 
jline  is  not  ol 
.  will  either  be 
dace  confidencf 


Secondly,  let  every  vessel  that  floats  over  the  ocean 
have  the  total-abstinence  temperance  flag  nailed  to 
the  mast-head.  Here,  too,  the  example  should  be  ex- 
hibited from  the  quarterdeck ;  for  I  hesitate  not  to  affirm} 
that  the  greater  part  of  the  difficulties,  insubordination, 
and  mutinies,  which  have  taken  plaoe  among  seamen 
on  the  ocean,  have  arisen  principally  from  the  fact,  that 
the  demon  of  intemperance  had  the  exclusive  command 
of  the  ship.  Nay,  I  may  go  further,  and  not  overstep 
the  bounds  of  truth ;  and  say,  that,  in  former  years  at 
least,  many  of  the  losses,  shipwrecks,  and,  consequently, 
loss  of  life,  &c.,  which  have  occurred  at  sea,  were  caused 
by  the  practical  inebriation  of  the  cabin  officers. 

But  it  is  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  know,  that 
this  great  evil  is  now  almost  universally  banished  from 
the  cabins  of  nearly  every  vessel  that  floats  on  the 
ocean;  and,  indeed,  it  has  latterly  been  excluded  from 
the  forecastles  of  some  of  our  gallant  ships.  In  connec- 
tion with  this,  care  should  be  taken,  as  much  as  possi*- 
ble,  for  the  comfort  of  sailors,  in  regard  to  that  part  of 
the  vessel  which  is  assigned  to  them  for  their  eating, 
sleeping,  &^c.  I  have  been  before  the  mast  myself  in 
vessels,  in  the  forecastles  of  which  (so  far  from  being 
sufficiently  capacious  for  a  dozen  men  to  live  in)  there 
was  not  really  room  enough,  as  a  sailor  would  say,  to 
swing  a  cat  in ;  and  besides,  what  with  the  decks 
leaking,  and  the  seas  thrown  into  it  as  the  ship  plunged 
through  the  water,  — by  reason  of  these,  we  scarcely  kept 
our  bedding  cr  clothing  fit  either  to  sleep  in  or  wear ; 
and  in  those  cases  I  invariably  found  the  main  deck  the 
more  comfortable  place  of  the  two. 

It  is  certainly  astonishing  that,  while  the  owners  of 
I  ships  instruct  the  builders  to  make  ample  room  for  the 
cabin,  where  there  are  in  general  not  more  than  three  per- 
sons, yet  there  is  not  allowed,  in  general,  more  than  one 
half  the  space  of  the  cabin  to  be  devoted  to  the  comfort 
and  convenience  of  the  crew,  consisting,  perhaps,  of 
Itwelve  or  fifteen  men.  Of  course,  it  is  not  my  province 
to  dictate,  or  lay  down,  any  specific  rules  for  the  regular 


:i!! 


388 


LIFE    ON   THE    OCEAN. 


0 

0 


V. 

g 

z 

9 


tion  and  discipline  of  vessels;  these  must  ever  vary 
according  to  circumstances. 

It  may  be  necessary,  on  short  voyages,  to  limit  the 
privileges  of  time ;  and  again,  when  vessels  are  just  off 
the  stocks,  and  new,  of  course,  there  is  more  duty  to 
perform  on  board  of  such  a  one,  than  on  board  of 
others  which  have  been  for  some  time  running.  On 
long  voyages,  however,  I  ha'^e  invariably  found  it  to  be 
the  better  plan,  to  give  the  forenoon  watch  below,  and 
in  heavy  weather  to  have  watch  and  watch ;  and  a  uni- 
form rule,  from  which  I  never  deviated,  apart  from  the 
necessary  duties  of  the  ship,  was  to  allow  them  Satur- 
day for  the  purpose  of  washing  and  mending  their 
clothes,  cleansing  the  forecastle,  &>c.  This  was  done 
in  order  that  the  Sabbath  day  might  be  respected,  and 
that  no  excuse  might  be  made  for  want  of  time,  should 
they  be  found  violating  it.  In  this  way,  I  generally 
managed  to  get  the  duties  of  the  ship  performed  cheer- 
fully and  with  promptness ;  and,  with  one  single  excep- 
tion, during  the  whole  period  of  my  command  I  never 
had  but  one  difficulty  at  sea,  and  that  was  owing  en- 
tirely to  drunkenness  on  the  part  of  the  crew. 

(>ice  more : — I  generally  endeavored,  so  far  as  it  was 
in  my  power,  to  have  good  and  wholesome    revisions 
for  the  seamen,  and  to  see  after  the  manner  in  which 
they  were  cooked  and  served  up  to  them.     Their  living, 
at  best,  is  not  of  the  most  superior  kind ;  and  it  becomes 
infinitely  worse  when  it  is  half  cooked  in  filth,  \vhich  i 
is  too  often  the  case.     Again,  I  never  put  men  on  allow- 
ance except  imperious  necessity  demanded  it ;  and  this  j 
may  often  happen  at  sea ;  for  sailors  are  sometimes  ex- 
travagant  and  wasteful,  and  sometimes,  from   a  long] 
course   of  head  winds  and  calms,  provisions  may  get 
short;   and  not  unfrequently,   on   board  of  merchantl 
ships,  where  there  are  several   water-casks   lashed  onj 
deck,  some  of  them  are  swept  overboard  by  the  violeucel 
of  the  sea ;  consequently  the  quantity  is  reduced.     FromI 
these  and  many  other  circumstances,  then,  it  becomes 
absolutely  necessary  to  go  on  allowance  of  provisions 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


3£>9 


It  over  vary 

to  limit  the 
8  are  just  off 
more  duty  to 
an  board  of 
running.    On 
found  it  to  be 
li  below,  and 
h;  andauni- 
ipart  from  the 
'  them  Satur- 
nending  their 
'his  was  done 
respected,  and 
)f  time,  should 
ty,  I  generally 
jrformed  cheer- 
le  single  excep- 
Lmand  I  never 
as  owing  en- 

rew. 

so  far  as  it  was 
tome    revisions 
Lnner  in  which 
Their  living, 
and  it  becomes 
infiUb,  >vhich 
.  meri  on  allow- 
[ed  it;  and  this 
sometimes  ex- 
^,  from  a  long 
[isions  may  get! 
1  of  merchanti 
isks  lashed  onl 
[by  the  violeiicel 
Bduced.    Froml 
Lcn,  it  become^ 
of  provisiona 


and  water.  Ordinarily,  however,  the  more  judicious 
plan  is,  not  to  allowance  sailors,  because  it  engenders 
much  bad  feeling,  by  souring  their  tempers,  and  caus- 
ing them  to  grumble,  which  generally  ends  in  difficulty 
and  trouble.  I  know  not  why  sailors  should  not  be 
treated  (if  they  conduct  themselves  with  propriety,  and 
discharge  their  duty)  as  well  as  landsmen.  It  is  well 
known  that,  if  mechanics  are  employed  at  any  particu- 
lar business,  they  will  never  suflfer  themselves  to  be 
treated  contemptuously,  much  less  will  they  admit  an 
employer  to  vent  oaths  and  curses  upon  them,  with  im- 
punity. I  do  not  institute  this  comparison  with  the 
view  of  giving  sailors  license  to  insubordination,  but 
merely  to  show,  that  an  employer  on  shore  never  con- 
ducts himself,  towards  the  employed,  in  this  way.  There 
is  a  feeling  among  landsmen-^ and,  in  some  degree, 
among  the  officers  of  vessels  —  that  sailors  have  sprung 
from  the  most  degraded  part  of  society ;  and  this  feel- 
ing seems  to  be  almost  universal,  producing  a  degree  of 
aversion  and  contempt,  arising  solely  from  unjust  pre- 
judices towards  them. 

There  is  a  great  mistake  existing  among  the  com- 
munity in  reference  to  this  matter ;  for  I  will  venture  to 
affirm  that  sailors,  as  a  class  of  men,  have  a  descent 
quite  as  reputable  as  the  generality  of  landsmen ;  and, 
indeed,  there  are  many  among  them  whose  parentage  is 
of  the  first  respectability,  such  as  those  who  come  from 
the  Eastern  States,,  which  may  truly  be  called  the  nursery 
of  American  seamen.  These,  at  their  advent  upon  the 
ocean,  do  not  go  to  sea  as  a  matter  of  convenience; 
neither  are  they  so  bad  that  their  friends  can  do  nothing 
with  them  on  shore,  in  consequence  of  which  they 
must  be  sent  to  sea;  but,  as  a  matter  of  choice,  they 
enter  upon  the  business  of  a  sea  life,  as  they  would  upon 
any  mechanical  pursuit,  and  follow  it  through  all  its 
gradations,  until  many  of  them  arrive  at  the  acme  of 
their  profession.  In  this  view  of  the  case,  then,  it  is 
very  evident  that  men  must  be  thopough^bred  sailors, 
before  they  can  be  capable  to  command*  Now,  then,  if 
35* 


390 


LIFE    ON  THE    OCEAN. 


D 

0 
J 
t 
ill 

h 

Of 

t\ 

Ml 

g 

D 


there  are  thousands  of  sailors  in  our  merchant  service  of  a 
character  just  mentioned,  it  follows  that  they  are  en- 
titled to  the  same  kind  of  deference,  in  their  sphere,  as 
landsmen,  particularly  if  they  discharge  their  duty  agree- 
ably to  contract.  That  they  are  bound  to  do  so,  and 
Also  to  conform  to  any  course  of  discipline,  there  can  be 
Ho  question  ;  and  when  these  obligations  are  fulfilled,  it 
becomes  the  imperious  duty  of  the  commander  and 
oj9icers  to  discharge  the  high  obligations  which  devolve 
upon  tbem  towards  seamen.  And  it  does  appear  to  me, 
aAer  an  attentive  observation  of  many  years,  in  regard 
to  the  character  of  seamen,  that  if  a  judicious  line  of 
conduct  were  insjkituted  with  them  on  ship  board,  not 
only  would  many  of  the  hardships  and  privations  con- 
sequent upon  a  sea  life  be  ameliorated,  but,  also,  they 
would  have  a  more  just  conception  of  moral  responsi- 
bility ;  or,  in  other  words,  their  duty  towards  God  and 
man  would  be  sensibly  enhanced. 

It  does  not  require  the  depth  of  a  casuist  to  see  that, 
if  this  were  the  general  character  of  our  seamen,  they 
would  not  only  command  that  respect  on  shore  to  which 
their  condition  entitles  them,  but,  as  they  must  be  the 
vehicles  by  which  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  are  to  be 
carried  to  the  heathen,  and  the  standard  of  the  cross 
must  be  planted  in  the  dark  corners  and  habitations  of 
idolatry,  — I  say,  as  they  must  be  the  channels  of  com- 
munication by  which  this  glorious  event  is  to  be  con- 
summated, how  infinitely  better  must  they  be  prepared 
to  discharge  this  duty,  when  their  characters  are  in- 
fluenced by  morala  and  religion ! 

When  we  look  at  the  great  good  which  may  be  ef- 
fected by  the  influence  and  deportment  of  seamen  in 
foreign  lands,  —  not  only  as  it  regards  the  establishing  of 
our  national  character  as  good  or  evil,  but  also  as  dis- 
seminating the  seeds  of  virtue  and  religion  in  the  minds 
and  in  the  hearts  of  the  heathen,  and  among  those  where 
the  blessed  light  of  Christianity  hath  not  shed  its  benign 
rays,  —  I  say,  when  the  importance  of  these  things  is 
considered,  is  it  not  wonderful,  that  the  Christian  com- 


LIFE    ON    THE    OCEAN. 


391 


it  service  of  a 
they  are  en- 
eir  sphere,  as 
lir  duty  agree- 
to  do  so,  and 
,  there  can  be 
ire  fulfilled,  it 
[nmander  and 
which  devolve 
appear  to  me, 
ears,  in  regard 
iicious  line  of 
ship  board,  not 
privations  con- 
but,  also,  they 
Boral  responsi- 
wards  God  and 

Liist  to  see  that, 
ir  seamen,  they 
shore  to  which 
.y  must  be  the 
ration  are  to  be 
•d  of  the  cross 
habitations  of 
lannelsof  com- 
jt  is  to  be  con- 
Ley  be  prepared 
racters  are   in- 

^ich  may  be  ef- 
,  of  seamen  in 
I  establishing  of 
[lit  also  as  dis- 
\\i  in  the  minds 
Ing  those  where 
Wd  its  benign 
these  things  is 
[christian  com- 


munity ileems  to  be  in  a  state  of  torpor  and  supineness 
in  regard  to  the  great  subject  of  reforming  sailors  ?  Yet 
there  does  not  appear  to  be  any  want  of  disposition,  on 
the  part  of  Christians,  both  real  and  nominal,  to  exert 
their  influence  and  means  in  sending  forth  the  mission- 
ary of  the  cross  among  the  benighted  sons  and  daughters 
of  superstition,  in  order  to  spread  the  blessed  effects  of 
the  gospel  among  them.  And  yet  there  are  thousands 
navigating  our  ships  over  the  ocean  who  are  as  deeply 
benighted,  in  reference  to  the  great  subject  of  morals  and 
religion,  as  the  heathen ;  and  it  does  appear  but  just, 
that,  while  such  great  exertions  are  made  to  send  the 
bread  of  life  into  foreign  lands,  something  certainly 
ought  to  be  done  for  those  who  are  the  vehicles  of  com- 
munication, and  without  whom  the  effects  of  Christianity 
would  be  exclusively  confined  to  civilized  and  Christian- 
ized nations. 

It  has  been  said,  and  with  great  truth,  when  the  re- 
ligion of  the  cross  gets  firm  hold  upon  the  sailor's  heart, 
that  he  becomes  a  more  zealous  champion  for  the  truth 
than  one  of  any  other  class  of  men.  If  this  be  true,  — 
and  the  very  nature  of  his  occupation  confirms  the  as- 
sertion,—  how  much  better  calculated  is  he,  then,  to 
advance  the  cause  of  Christianity,  than  a  landsman !  and 
it  follows,  of  consequer  ce,  that,  as  the  nature  of  his  voca- 
tion obliges  him  to  visit  almost  every  clime  that  has 
been,  and  that  yet  will  be,  discovered,  —  when  all  this  is 
taken  into  the  account,  it  is  evident  that  seamen  are  the 
best-calculated  and  fittest  persons  for  missionaries.  It  is 
true,  that  the  community  is  now  being  aroused  to  a 
I  sense  of  their  obligations  to  sailors ;  and  yet,  with  the 
exception  of  a  small  minority,  the  majority  of  the  people 
deal  too  much  in  generals,  believing  that  special  efforts 
[are  not  absolutely  necessary  for  their  reformation. 

As  I  have  expatiated  largely,  in  the  preceding  pages, 

I  in  reference  to  this  subject,  I  would  merely  say,  further, 

that  the  good  which  may  be  effected  in  this  way  will 

be  exceedingly  limited.     If  a  universal  benefit  is  to  be 

Iconferred  on  sailors,  the  effort  must  be  exclusively  made 


392 


LIFE   Oft  THE    OCEAN. 


M 

B 
U 


for  their  peculiar,  and  I  may  say  exclusive,  Character ; 
and  experience  has  shown  that,  since  specific  efforts 
have  been  made  to  bring  sailors  within  the  range  of  the 
gospel,  it  has  given  a  moral  influence  on  the  bearing  of 
many ;  and  when  we  contrast  the  material  alteration  for 
the  better  now,  among  sailors,  to  what  it  was  twenty 
years  ago,  we  are  compelled  to  acknowledge  that  it  is 
owing  principally  to  the  blessed  influence  of  Christianity 
upou  their  hearts.  It  is,  therefore,  a  source  of  gratitude 
to  Almighty  God,  that,  notwithstanding  the  very  limited 
efforts  that  have  yet  been  made  to  ameliorate  the  condi- 
tion of  sailors,  He  has  crowned  those  feeble  efforts 
with  abundant  success;  and  it  should  be  a  stimulus  to 
all  classes  of  men,  (but  especially  to  those  who  are  more 
deeply  concerned,)  to  redouble  their  exertions  in  behalf 
of  the  condition  of  poor  sailors.  Let  these  exertions 
widen  and  extend ;  and,  as  the  Almighty  has  chosen  men 
as  instruments  to  promulge  his  blessed  truth,  and  be  the 
means,  in  his  hands,  of  the  salvation  of  theif  fellows,  -^ 
and  especially  if  we  are  firm  believers  in  that  truths  -^  let 
us  not  slacken  our  energies  until  the  prophecy  is  fuLiiled, 
"  When  the  abundance  of  the  sea  shall  be  converted 
to  God."  For  the  fulfilment  of  this,  glorious  epoch,  let 
all  Christians  unite ;  and  the  time  is  not  very  far  distant, 
when  the  high  praises  of  God  shall  universally  ascend 
up  from  old  ocean,  and  when  ^e  tribes  of  Zebulon  shall 
be  joined  to  the  tribes  of  Judah,  and  the  mountain  wave 
be  united  to  the  mountain  of  the  land,  and  when  all 
shall  join  in  loud  hallelujahs,  "  The  Lord  God  omnipoi 
tent  reigueth!" 


-su 


393 


'A 


kits 


live,  Character; 
specific  efforts 
he  range  of  the 
the  bearing  of 
al  alteration  for 
it  was  twenty 
rledge  that  it  is 
3  of  Christianity 
rce  of  gratitude 
the  very  limited 
orate  the  condi- 
B   feeble   efforts 
)e  a  stimulus  to 
se  who  are  more 
.^rtions  in  behalf 
these  exertions 
has  chosen  men 
truth,  and  be  the 
theif  fellows,  — 
,that  truth, --let 
phecyisfuliiiled, 
ill  he  converted 
orious  epoch,  let 
very  far  distant, 
liversally  ascend 
of  Zebulon  shall 
mountain  wave 
d,  and  when  all 
>rd  God  omnipo.- 


<V*«J' 


?'        ?s*.    •'' 


rt-  imr'r 


ivn 


,'\  ill   .I- 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 


CON0LU8ION. 


Among  the  most  pleasing  reflections  of  my  life  is  the 
recollection  that  the  Bethel  flag  was  first  hoisted  in  the 
pci  t  of  Baltimore,  on  board  of  the  ship  which  I  com- 
lusLiided.  It  was,  to  be  sure,  a  small  beginning ;  for  al- 
though  it  was  a  novel  sight  to  behold  the  Bethel  flag 
floating  at  the  mast-head  of  a  ship,  as  a  signal  to  re- 
pair onboard  for  the  purpose  of  religious  worship, — yet, 
when  the  hour  arrived,  how  many  do  you  suppose  com- 
posed the  whole  congregation  ?  I  pause,  not  because 
the  number  is  beyond  calculation,  but  because  a  feeling 
of  sorrow  now  pervades  my  mind  at  the  recollection 
of  the  keen  disappointment  that  was  then  exhibited  by 
every  person  present ;  and  the  reader  will  not  think  it 
strange,  when  I  tell  him  that,  from  this  famous  Monu- 
mental city -^  a  city  so  celebrated  for  its  numerous 
churches  and  its  widely-extended  religious  influence  — 
I  say,  the  reader  will  not  think  strange  the  keen- 
ness of  my  disappointment,  when  I  tell  him,  the  whole 
congregation  on  board  consisted  of  seven  souls.  This 
was,  indeed,  not  very  flattering ;  for  as  yet  the  scheme 
was  treated  by  many  as  entirely  futile ;  but,  like  all 
other  beginnings,  which  are  generally  small  in  the  com- 
mencement, ours  had  to  struggle  against  prejudice ,-  and 
although  it  had  to  contend  with  many  discourage- 
ments from  various  quarters,  yet,  through  the  indefati- 
gable exertions  of  a  few  benevolent  spirits,  the  work 
progressed  slowly,  but  efficiently. 

The  first  year,  the  word  of  God  was  preached  on 
board  of  such  vessels  as  could  be  obtained  for  that  pur* 


394 


Lire   ON  THE   OCBAN. 


pose ;  but  there  were  very  few,  at  that  period,  who  were 
willing  to  let  the  sailor's  missionary  go  on  board  and 
dispense  the  Word  of  Life ;  very  few,  indeed,  would  con- 
sent to  let  the  Bethel  flag  be  hoisted  on  board  of  their 
respective  vessels.  This  inconvenience  was  so  great, 
that  it  was  found  absolutely  necessary  to  relinquish  the 
preaching  of  the  Word  on  board  of  vessel? ;  and,  the 
second  year,  a  sail-loft  was  obtained  for  that  purpose. 
Here,  a  growing  interest  for  the  success  of  the  cause  was 
abundantly  manifested,  and  numbers  accumulated.  Sab- 
bath after  Sabbath,  (especially  those  who  were  connected 
with  seamen  and  navigation,)  to  hear  the  Word  preached, 
until  it  was  found  too  contracted  for  the  multitude 
which  resorted  thither.  Then  it  was  that  benevolent 
and  philanthropic  men  conceived  the  noble  project  of 
erecting  a  church  especially  dedicated  to  the  moral  and 
religious  benefit  of  seamen.  In  1825,  a  location  was 
obtained ;  and  the  building  erected,  and  dedicated  as  a 
mariners'  church,  to  be  conducted  on  the  missionary 
plan,  the  operations  and  benefits  of  which  were  exclu- 
sively designed  for  seamen.  For  some  years  it  had  to 
contend  with  a  variety  of  opposition  —  so  much  so  that 
many  were  discouraged,  especially  as  there  did  not  ap- 
pear to  be  much  good  effected  in  the  morals  of  seamen : 
this,  however,  was  principally  owing  to  the  counteract- 
ing influence  of  intemperance,  so  prevalent  among 
seamen,  and  the  united  eflbrts  of  the  keepers  of  sailor 
boarding-houses  to  deter  poor  Jack  from  attending  di- 
vine worship ;  or,  if  he  did,  they  usually  plied  him  so 
freely  with  the  intoxicating  draught,  that,  if  any  good 
impressions  had  been  made,  they  were  soon  driven  from 
his  mind. 

Another  serious  discouragement  was,  that  the  various 
denominations  of  Christians  rarely  lent  their  counte- 
nance or  presence,  to  aid  the  institution.  In  this  way, 
then,  for  a  long  time,  the  Bethel  ship  had  to  con- 
tend with  head  winds;  and,  for  want  of  a  nucleus 
around  which  the  captain  and  missionary  might  rally  —  I 
say,  for  the  want  of  a  crew  to  work  the  ship,  she  well 


iod,  who  were 
on  board  and 
ed,  would  con - 
board  of  their 
was  so  great, 
relinquish  the 
isels ;  and,  the 
that  purpose. 
f  the  cause  was 
imulated,  Sab- 
;vere  connected 
^ord  preached, 
the  multitude 
hat  benevolent 
oble  project  of 
>  the  moral  and 
Bi  location  was 
dedicated  as  a 
the  missionary 
ich  were  exclu- 
years  it  had  to 
)  much  so  that 
re  did  not  ap- 
als  of  seamen : 
he  counteract- 
Ivalent    among 
epers  of  sailor 
attending  di- 
plied  him  so 
^t,  if  any  good 
n  driven  from 

lat  the  various 
1  their  counte- 
In  this  way, 
had  to  con- 
)f  a  nucleus 
ight  rally  —  I 
thip,  she  well 


LirB    ON   THE    OCEAlf. 


305 


nigh  had  stranded.  In  this  condition  she  hove  out  a 
signal,  and  the  temperance  ship,  boing  W^ll  manned,  bore 
down  to  her  relief.  S'ome  of  the  temperance  crew  were 
put  on  board  the  Bethel  ship,  and  worked  her  off  into 
blue  water  and  plenty  of  sea-room,  since  which  time 
she  has  been  kept  under  way,  and  the  crew,  although 
slowly,  has  steadily,  increased  in  number  ,*  and  the  influ" 
ence  which  this  Bethel  ship  has  exerted,  and  continues 
still  to  exert,  is  incalculable,  and  will  tell  upon  the  des>^ 
tiny  -of  many  a  poor  wea.her-beaten  tar,  as  well  as  upon 
those  connected  with  seamen.  In  this  port,  already, 
there  are  many  auxiliaries  to  this  institution,  which  tend 
greatly  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  seamen,  as  well 
as  to  extend  the  hand  of  charity  to  their  distressed 
widows  and  orphans. 

There  is  a  seaman's  home  conducted  on  temperance 
principles,  in  which  the  sons  of  the  ocean  may  be  secure 
from  designing  men,  and  find  a  comfortable  residence 
while  on  shore,  as  well  as  have  access  to  a  library  which 
is  attached  to  this  institution  for  their  especial  benefit. 

There  is  likewise  a  society  established  for  the  relief 
of  seamen's  widows  and  orphans,  throng i.  the  instru- 
mentality of  which,  and  the  untiring  exertions  of  the 
missionary,  not  only  has  many  a  poor  sailor's  widow  and 
orphan  been  relieved  from  the  griping  hand  of  poverty, 
but  also  many,  very  many,  have  been  rescued  from  im- 
moral wretchedness,  and  brought  within  the  range  of 
religious  teaching,  which  has  exerted  a  most  salutary 
influence  over  the  destinies  of  this  class.  But  although 
much  has  been  done,  yet  much  remains  to  be  done ;  and 
so  long  as  the  various  denominations  of  Christians  keep 
aloof,  this  work  must  be  retarded ;  but  when  all  shall 
see  eye  to  eye,  and  unite  hand  in  hand  to  push  forward 
this  noble  enterprise,  then  we  shall  quickly  see  the  sailor 
elevated  to  that  situation  in  society  to  which  his  worth 
-entitles  him. 

THE  fiKD. 


